By Victor Kanayo
Favourites Spain on Wednesday spanked Costa Rica 7-0 in the Group E first round, being the highest team score so far in the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The scoreline was higher than the six goals scored by England against Iran few days ago.
Dani Olmo opened the goals harvest at the 11th minute before Nigeria’s Jordi Alba gave an assist to Marro Asen who scored the Spanish second goal at the 21st minute.
Ferran Torres scored the third goal via penalty at the 31st minute before going on recess and on resumption he got his brace (two goals in a match) in the 54th minute.
Spain was not finished with slaughtering Costa Rica as Gavi came rampaging and getting a goal in the 74th minute for 5th goal.
Some spectators were already leaving the field when Carlos Solar scored the 6th goal in the 90th minute, then Dani Olmo moved like a bull around and found Alvan Morata who scored the 7th goal at the stoppage time.
Spain was in control of the match with their 76% to 24% possession; eight shots on target to none of Costa Rica; and five corner kicks to none of Costa boys.
The Costa boys emerged being rough with 12 fouls to 8 but the only two yellow cards were to Costa Rica.
Spain tops group E table with goals superiority, Japan has three points like them in second position, Germany and Costa Rica are third and fourth respectively.
Costa Rica ranked 31 are making their sixth appearance.
They had the best achievement with a quarterfinal in 2014, got out in round of 16 in 1990 but were forced out thrice at group stages in 2002, 2006 and 2018.
Spain had a better record in their 16 appearances with a ranking of 7th and winning the title in 2010, made 4th position in Brazil 1950 and quarterfinal in 1934, 1986, 1994 and 2002.
Spain meet Germany next on Sunday at 8pm while Japan has a chance to move up when they face Costa Rica at same day.
And despite spirited efforts, Canada lost to 0-1 to Belgium.
