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Spain Sends A Message in Win Over Costa Rica

By Jeff Stinger

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Champions dominated CONCACAF’s Costa Rica in a 7-0 final score. In their imposing performance, the Spaniards penned the largest win margin since Germany’s 7-1 win over hosts Brazil at the 2014 World Cup. The opening game also features Spain’s biggest win of the tournament and Costa Rica’s heaviest defeat in the nation’s history. Let’s look back at the goal-loaded group game below.

2022 FIFA World Cup Spain Opening Game Highlights

READ MORE: Japan Stuns Germany in Upset Victory

Tight forward line

No one expected the final score to be this lopsided. The main reason is Spain does not have an out-and-out striker in the lineup. However, Luis Enrique put together a strategy that utilizes his forward and midfield units. The lineup displayed confidence on the ball, tight and accurate passes, and chemistry that resembles top-tier clubs. They were a joy to watch and resembled Barcelona’s tiki-taka passing strategy.

Their opening game reminded us of the 2010 Spain squad. La Furia Roja dissected their opponents carefully through pinpoint passes. It was an impressive exhibition of ball possession, positioning, opening up, and winning back the ball. Everything we witnessed was vintage Spain.

It’s hard to imagine the Spaniards not scoring goals in their current form. Given their confidence on the pitch and the creativity to achieve a variety of goals, we expect nothing less from the squad as they challenge the disheartened Germans next as +141 match winners.

Luis Enrique, a genius

Luis Enrique built a machine that could go to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals. It turns out that what he had been saying regarding their training camp status was true, noting that his boys were flying. He insisted his method operated like clockwork come game day. He even went out of his way and convinced Rubiales and Molina to change the kit and told them that Spain wearing all red would win this one. The path looks clear for the -400 Group E favorites so far.

Spain showed up in Qatar setting the bar high from the get-go. They played like no other team in the world from the first minute up to the last with one of the greatest displays in the tournament so far. Costa Rica can only watch from a distance as La Roja passed the ball around them. Spain had skill, explosive moves, and above all, a quality of play that could well secure Spain’s second World Cup star on their crest.

Young talents on the international stage

The game against Costa Rica featured six different goalscorers. Barcelona’s Ferran Torres scored the third and fourth goal of the game, with his first one gifted by the South Americans following a foul inside the penalty box. The 22-year-old is a strong contender to claim the top goalscorer of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at +1,100.

Moreover, the formidable lineup highlights Pedri’s first World Cup appearance. The 19-year-old’s name was loudly chanted by the crowd last night. He responded with impressive moves in his first ten minutes on the pitch. The teenage star looks on pace to deliver what’s expected from him. A good part of Spain’s supporters are yet to be convinced why he made it to the lineup, but we see a world-class player here. Luis Enrique saved his energy after about 30 minutes. We anticipate bigger things from him moving forward.

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