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FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar LIVE: Spain hit two late goals to thrash hapless Costa Rica 7-0

World Cup / Group Stage
Al Thumama Stadium / 23.11.2022
Completed
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    Alasdair Mackenzie

    Updated 23/11/2022 at 18:29 GMT


    57'
    Live comment icon
    Spain
    MORATA, SOLER ON
    And that's the end of Torres' night. On comes Morata in his place.
    Soler is also on for Pedri.
    55'
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    Spain
    4-0 SPAIN, TORRES AGAIN
    And there's the fourth, and Torres' second of the night!
    It's a bit of a mess from Costa Rica, this one. Spain work it down the right and Torres receives a return pass as he drives into the box.
    A heavy touch leaves him shielding the ball with a defender and Navas behind him, but the Barcelona man simply swivels and fires in.
    53'
    COSTA RICA CHANGE SHAPE
    Torres drills a dangerous low cross into the box but Costa Rica manage to clear.
    Los Ticos have changed their shape to 4-2-3-1 in this second half to try and get into the game, but it looks like they are going to leave a bit more space in behind as a result.
    48'
    ASENSIO OFF TARGET
    New half, Spain still on top. Asensio finds some space on the edge of the area but he's off balance as he shoots and the ball flies over the bar.
    46'
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    ONE TICOS CHANGE
    We're back underway, and there's been one change, with Costa Rica bringing on Waston for Martinez.
    16:55
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    16:51
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    HALF TIME: SPAIN 3-0 COSTA RICA
    Spain are cruising. A fantastic first half from Luis Enrique's men has them strolling towards an opening day victory.
    Olmo opened the scoring early on, before Asensio doubled their lead with a neat finish and Torres made it three from the penalty spot after Alba was tripped in the box.
    Costa Rica have barely touched the ball so far, and are yet to muster a shot.
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    Image credit: Getty Images

    50'
    ASENSIO THREATENS
    Asensio breaks into the box and has a chance for a fourth, but Duarte makes a good sliding challenge to block his shot.
    46'
    FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON
    I suppose for the penalty? It's a bit surprising, even for this World Cup, to see five minutes added on after a first half that hasn't felt full of stoppages.
    44'
    TORRES NETS FROM THE SPOT
    43'
    SPAIN DOMINATING STATS
    Spain have had 86% possession.
    5-0 up on shots, 2-0 up on corners.
    And, most importantly, 3-0 up on goals.
    39'
    COSTA RICA BETTER
    Better from Costa Rica as Sunderland teenager Bennette makes a dart down the left and a cross is knocked back out.
    It's worked to Campbell, who drifts a ball back into the box, but Spain clear their lines again.
    Los Ticos haven't managed to get a shot away, but they are at least playing in the right areas.
    36'
    MEXICAN WAVE TIME
    A Mexican wave ripples around the crowd as Spain knock the ball about.
    Can Costa Rica find a way back into this before half-time? Their manager Luis Fernandez Suarez is looking glum on the bench.
    35'
    NICE FINISH, MARCO
    31'
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    Spain
    3-0 SPAIN! TORRES CONVERTS
    We've only played half an hour and all three of Spain's forwards have scored already.
    Torres with a calm penalty, sending Navas the wrong way. Sorry folks, an upset is probably off the cards this time. Very impresive start from La Roja.
    30'
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    PENALTY TO SPAIN
    Alba goes down, he's tripped, penalty given. A bad start has just got worse for Costa Rica.
    29'
    ALBA PARTY TRICKS
    A lovely bit of showboating from Alba now, as he knocks the ball one side of an onrushing defender and nips around the other - before then knocking it back in the other direction and recycling possession.
    26'
    SPAIN ON TOP
    Hard to see a way back into this for Costa Rica. It's mesmerising dominance from Spain right now, they're so comfortable in possession.
    21'
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    Spain
    SPAIN 2-0 UP! ASENSIO SCORES
    This is clinical from Spain. Much like the first goal, they patiently probe inside the Costa Rica half before suddenly increasing the pace of their passes to devastating effect.
    Alba gets the ball in space on the left wing and plays a low cross in to Asensio, who superbly guides it past Navas first time.
    Mountain to climb for Costa Rica now.
    19'
    LOVELY STUFF
    17'
    COSTA RICA FREE-KICK
    Just as I say that, Costa Rica get a chance to throw a free-kick into the Spanish box from just inside the Spain half.
    It leads to nothing, though, and the offside flag was up anyway.