| Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport web site and app. Day-by-day TV listings – Full coverage details |
Whatever England can do, Spain can do higher… however does thrashing hapless opposition in your opening sport actually flip anybody into on the spot World Cup contenders?
That ought to come of their subsequent match, on Sunday towards a Germany facet who might be preventing for his or her future on this match after their shock defeat by Japan.
There was nonetheless a lot to savour for Spain and their supporters at Al Thumama Stadium, of course, particularly Gavi’s scrumptious volley to make it 5-0, but it surely was evident from the beginning that this was an enormous mis-match and the scoreline mirrored the massive gulf between the 2 sides.
Costa Rica have been the final group to qualify for Qatar, due to a play-off victory over New Zealand in June, however barring an enormous enchancment they appear more likely to be one of the primary groups to be eradicated.
Spain ripped by them far too simply, generally straight down the center of the pitch, and the sport was completed as a contest after barely half an hour when Ferran Torres transformed a penalty to make it 3-0.
They stored coming ahead in waves within the second half and extra objectives adopted even after Enrique made a raft of adjustments – like England some of their substitutes bought concerned within the scoring.
Costa Rica out-passed and outclassed
Costa Rica weren’t simply out-passed – they managed 241 to 1,043 – they have been additionally outclassed, and did not muster a single shot at purpose. The closest they bought to that was 4 touches within the Spain space, two in every half.
Former England defender Gary Neville noticed these sorry statistics as extra of an indication of how unhealthy the 2014 quarter-finalists have been, slightly than how good Spain have been.
“Well achieved to Spain they’ve achieved their job,” Neville stated on ITV. “I did not assume Costa Rica might get any worse within the second half however they surpassed their first-half efficiency. They have been hesitant. They have been a large number.
“I can not simply measure Spain in any respect on that. Costa Rica are the primary group in 32 years to not have a shot at purpose, that may’t occur.
“They’ve had a number of World Cups. There was nothing on the market as we speak. I don’t know what’s simply occurred.
“Spain hold the ball, we all know that, however that’s as unhealthy because it will get for a group that has bought lots of expertise.”
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green added on BBC Radio 5 stay: “Spain have been sensible however I’m tempted to say this sport will not inform us lots about them on this match. The power of the opposition, Costa Rica actually have not made it troublesome.
“They made it a stroll within the park for Spain. Realistically, the substitutions Spain made within the second half, they have been blooding children, resting outdated legs; Costa Rica knew the sport was up.”
‘The good efficiency’ by Spain
You might argue, of course, that not permitting your opposition a sight of purpose whereas scoring seven your self is to not be sniffed at, and Spanish soccer professional Guillem Balague most well-liked to give attention to the positives for Spain.
Balague instructed 5 stay: “It was simply the right efficiency, you can see after three objectives Costa Rica had given up.
“But what number of photographs heading in the right direction for Costa Rica? Or makes an attempt? Zero. In the World Cup, you do not get these kind of performances, the identical manner you do not get the sort of performances England gave towards Iran.
“We’re speaking about the identical form of degree. They are, in the intervening time it appears, forward of the remaining.”
Should Spain simply get pleasure from a uncommon good begin?
Maybe we’re higher off not enthusiastic about what the dimensions of this Spain victory means and as an alternative give attention to the actual fact they’ve, for as soon as, bought their World Cup off to a successful begin.
They had misplaced their opening match at their earlier three tournaments, together with in South Africa 2010 the place they went on to win it – and it was clearly unwise to leap to any early conclusions about their prospects again then.
It is Germany and Argentina who’ve been upset this time and, in a match that has been full of shock leads to its first few days, Spain’s younger stars like Gavi and Pedri as an alternative despatched out a press release of intent that they might be those inflicting some surprises within the coming weeks.
Green: “It’s what Spain wanted. Coming into this match they’d just a few questions, younger gamers coming in, can they discover and give you solutions? Well, it has been an ideal coaching session for them as a result of that is just about what it has been.
“It’s not been a contest, it has been a heat up. There might be larger video games to return however in case you’re getting greater than 1,000 passes in a sport, then that is an unbelievable achievement.”
What was the Spanish verdict?
Understandably, Spain’s gamers appeared fairly happy with their efficiency, in addition to the end result.
Dani Olmo, who opened the scoring with what was Spain’s one hundredth World Cup purpose, stated: “I do not assume it was a query of Costa Rica being unhealthy. It was about our group being sturdy.
“I feel the win was what we have been due. We deserved to win after taking the sport to them. I feel our group is powerful and that’s the path that we have to observe. It was a confidence increase for positive.”
But managers are not often happy so simply and, simply as England boss Gareth Southgate hailed his facet’s attacking show towards Iran however was sad at seeing them concede a pair of late objectives, Spain boss Enrique known as his group “distinctive” – earlier than including they will do higher subsequent time.
“Our goal is to constantly dominate the play, and for that you must have the ball,” Enrique instructed TVE.
“Your opponent will get drained and may’t get into it, our urgent was distinctive and the 16 gamers we used have been very good – though we nonetheless have room to enhance.”
Get the most recent outcomes and purpose notifications for any group on the Fifa World Cup by downloading the BBC Sport app: Apple – Android – Amazon
Get your every day dose of Fifa World Cup response, debate & evaluation with World Cup Daily on BBC Sounds
by 
