Luis Enrique was looking forward to a nice dinner and a little celebration for his players after the scary World Cup victory. As of Thursday morning, the Spanish Tor Fiesta makers have only one thing in mind. The preparation for the cracker against the DFB opening losers.
And in their direction, Enrique made a clear statement: “We will try to play against Germany in the same way. If they beat us, then we have to say that they were better than us.”
After the performances of the former world champions, which were only a few hours and kilometers apart, that seems difficult to imagine. After the German team’s defeat against Japan, which also “surprised” Enrique, Spain delivered a show of force against an opponent who was completely overwhelmed. They lightly beat Costa Rica 7-0 (3-0) and got ready for the duel with the DFB selection, which could then take them out of the tournament.
“La Roja overlooked Costa Rica”
“I don’t know if we’re favorites for the World Cup, but we certainly have a good chance. We’re very keen to create something big,” said double goalscorer Ferrán Torres after the ARD game. “We always try to improve our game and today we showed that.” And how! “La Roja overruns Costa Rica” was the headline in the online newspaper Mundo Deportivo. “The first mission is accomplished,” said “Marca”.
In front of 40,013 spectators in Doha, Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig (11th minute) initiated the resounding victory. It was Spain’s 100th goal at a World Cup. Marco Asensio (21st), Torres (penalties/31st and 54th), young star Gavi (74th), who was the youngest World Cup goalscorer since Pelé in 1958, Carlos Soler (90th) and Alvaro Morata (90th 2 ) raised against the regrettably overwhelmed underdog. “It was one of those games where everything went differently than expected,” said a visibly devastated Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suárez, who is concerned about the mental well-being of his humiliated kickers ahead of the games against Japan and Germany. “I have to be very careful about what I say to my players to lift their spirits.” His team didn’t even have a shot at the Spanish goal.
“The Return of the Tiki-Taka”
Enrique doesn’t need to raise the mood any more, just as little as slow it down: “Praise weakens, we know that. But we won’t fall for it.” That King Felipe VI. clapping with relish in the box of honor when the Spanish team performed magic with their highly talented teenagers like 18-year-old Gavi and finally announced the title on the lawn of the Al-Thumam Stadium, still in slow motion, should also be aware of the protagonists of the historic success. Spain’s biggest win at a World Cup was in 1998, when they beat Bulgaria 6-1.
In Doha in November 2022, the Spanish passport machine worked incessantly. For the first time since 1966, a team played more than 1,000 passes in a World Cup game without extra time. “The return of the Tiki-Taka,” said the sports magazine “As”.
Four years after losing out to the hosts in Russia in the round of 16 and eight years after failing in the preliminary round as defending champions in Brazil, the Spaniards performed with the confidence and strength of a co-favourite. In attacking midfield, Enrique relied on young Barcelona stars Gavi and Pedri, who got off to a great start. Captain Sergio Busquets, the only survivor from the 2010 world-champion team, effortlessly had their backs at 34.
Costa Rica’s offensive did not take place
Pedri in particular shone in the early stages two days before his 20th birthday. With his fine passes, Olmo and Marco Asensio just missed the goal. Olmo completed a chip from just 18-year-old Gavi to make it 1-0. The Costa Ricans around star goalkeeper and captain Keylor Navas had absolutely no access to the opponent who was willing to play.
The three-time European champion from Spain whirled constantly. Costa Rica’s offensive around veteran star Joel Campbell didn’t take place after the break either, his colleagues hardly got into the duels. Barça striker Torres is well known to the German team and national coach Hansi Flick. He scored three goals in the 6-0 win against the German selection in 2020.
For Spain’s senior Busquets, the assignment was over after just over an hour: the replaced veteran from Barcelona was able to save energy for the Germany game, which everyone is particularly looking forward to: Olmo then meets his Leipzig club colleagues Lukas Klostermann and David Raum , and warned: “This thing is definitely not through.”
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