(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Spain shredded Costa Rica 7-0 on Wednesday in a brutal
destruction in their Group E opener which launched their bid to
lift a second World Cup, trend reports citing bein sports .
Avoiding the fate of giants Argentina and group rivals Germany,
who lost 2-1 to Japan earlier on, Luis Enrique's fancied side
sparkled at Doha's Al Thumama Stadium, dominating possession and
taking their chances mercilessly.
Ferran Torres netted twice and Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo, Gavi,
Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata were also on the scoresheet for the
Euro 2020 semi-finalists in an emphatic romp.
In the past the 2010 World Cup winners have paid the price for
profligacy but all three forwards Luis Enrique selected netted in
the first half to pay back his trust in them.
The coach placed Asensio at false nine, flanked by Olmo and
Torres, starting with Morata and Ansu Fati on the bench.
The coach opted to deploy Manchester City midfielder Rodri
Hernandez in central defence, alongside club team-mate Aymeric
Laporte, correctly anticipating his team would monopolise the
ball.
It took only 11 minutes for La Roja to open the scoring, with
Gavi stabbing a pass forward for Olmo to receive in the area and
the RB Leipzig winger taking one sublime touch to turn and another
to stroke the ball gently past Keylor Navas.
Costa Rica, who were a surprise package at the 2014 World Cup,
beating Italy and Uruguay and drawing with England to top their
group, were sliced apart again for the second goal 10 minutes
later.
Jordi Alba's low drilled cross was rammed home by Real Madrid
forward Asensio past his former team-mate Navas, who might have
done more to keep it out.
Torres stroked home from the penalty spot after Alba was fouled
by Oscar Duarte –- a soft call on a hard night for Los Ticos, who
were never in the game and failed to muster a shot at goal.
Barcelona forward Torres capitalised on more slack defending to
fire the fourth past Navas early in the second half.
Luis Enrique was able to take off the effervescent Pedri and
Torres before the hour mark in order to rest them for Sunday's
clash with Germany, and handed teenage Barcelona left-back
Alejandro Balde his debut.
The 19-year-old roared up the pitch in the build-up to Spain's
fifth goal, with substitute Morata crossing for Gavi to drill home
with aplomb.
Kopa Trophy winner Gavi became the third youngest goalscorer at
a World Cup at 18 years and 110 days old, after Mexico's Manuel
Rosas and record holder Pele.
Soler and Morata then got in on the act with stoppage-time
strikes to pile further misery on Costa Rica and help Spain flex
their muscles in a perfect opening match in Qatar.