FIFA World Cup: Record-setting Spain hammers listless Costa Rica 7-0
Former champion Spain put on a masterclass setting a passing record on way to demolishing Costa Rica 7-0 in a Group E match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday night (November 23).
It was a complete domination by the European side at Al Thumama Stadium. The 2010 winner’s tiki-taka was on display in the first half as it completed 537 passes, a record for a team in the first 45 minutes at a World Cup, since the 1966 edition.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: All you need to know about the tournament in Qatar
Spain had 1,056 passes and completed 994 in the match. It had 71% ball possession and had 17 shots at goal and seven on target, which were all successful.
Costa Rica claimed an unwanted record for not having even a single shot on goal.
Spain have arrived at the #FIFAWorldCup 🔥#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 23, 2022
Dani Olmo opened the scoring early, in the 11th minute. Marco Asensio doubled the lead in the 21st minute and Ferran Torres (31) converted a penalty to put Spain in a 3-0 advantage at half-time.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Schedule, groups, match times in IST, venues, live TV, streaming, and more
The Spanish team piled on more misery on the Costa Rican defence as Torres (54th minute) was again on the scoresheet followed by goals from Gavi (74), Carlos Soler (90) and Alvaro Morato (90+2).
Gavi, at 18 years, became the youngest World Cup goalscorer for Spain. Also, at 18 years and 110 days, he is the youngest scorer at the tournament since Pele (17 years, 249 days) in 1958.
Tonight’s 7-0 result is the biggest World Cup victory for Spain.
Spain next faces Germany on Sunday (November 27) while Costa Rica meets Japan on the same day.
Earlier in the day, Germany was stunned 2-1 by Japan.
537 – Most successful passes in the 1st half of a World Cup game (since 1966) :
🥇Spain v Costa Rica today – 537
🥈Germany v Japan today – 422
🥉Spain v Russia in 2018 – 395Tiki-taka. #ESPCRC pic.twitter.com/QKbG4doCzE
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 23, 2022