SoccerBy Mike Gawdzik on

Spain declared their 2022 FIFA World Cup presence by planting its flag squarely through the heart of Costa Rica. In a 7-0 route, Spain shifted through all their gears, finding little to calibrate.

Their first goal came courtesy of Dani Olmo in the 11th minute of play with a sensational first touch that only left popping the ball over legendary Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas to the back of the net.

This goal marked the 100th time Spain has found the back of the net during a World Cup, but La Furia Roja was far from satisfied.

Spain would score six more goals:

  • Marco Asensio scored off the volley in the 21st minute.
  • Ferran Torres would score two, one off a penalty kick and another coming from a squirrelly few seconds in the 54th minute.
  • 18-year-old Gavi would score off a technically ridiculous volley off the outside of his right boot, bouncing off the post and in.
  • Carlos Soler would tap one in the 90th minute, and Alvaro Morata would score two minutes into stoppage time

Spain dominated from whistle to whistle. They played aggressively and with a seasoned fluidity despite having a relatively young squad. They manipulated the tempo and passed more than they breathed.

Spain will undoubtedly go deep into the tournament; whether or not they can keep up the intensity during the coming weeks will be something to see.

Costa Rica will play Japan Sunday (5 am ET) at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

Spain will play Germany Sunday (2 pm ET) at Al Bayt Stadium.

[Photo Credit: FOX]

About Mike Gawdzik

A fan of the Red Devils and White Sox, Mike Gawdzik is a high school English teacher by day and a writer by night. He tries to write what he knows, like when he was a drag queen for a day or when he competed in an amateur boxing tournament in South Korea. When reading student essays isn’t enough for him, he’s also the creative nonfiction editor for Flying Island and Sport Literate.

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