Fifa World Cup: Ruthless Spain put seven past Costa Rica - reaction

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Gavi announced himself on the global stage with a brilliant volley as Spain produced a sparkling passing performance to outclass Costa Rica and start their World Cup in sensational style.

Ferran Torres scored twice in what was a stroll from start to finish for the 2010 champions but the pick of their seven goals was Gavi's outstanding volleyed finish, with the Barcelona teenager using the outside of his foot to steer a dropping ball home via the post.

This has been a tournament full of surprises, with Spain's Group E rivals Germany the latest victims with their late defeat by Japan earlier on Wednesday, but there was never a hint of another shock happening here.

La Roja were completely dominant from the start, with Costa Rica unable to live with their pace, movement and precision when they came forward.

It was just the perfect performance that you could see after three goals Costa Rica had given up. But you never know; Spain always give rivals a chance.

But how many shots on target for Costa Rica? Or attempts? Zero. In the World Cup, you don't get these type of performances, the same way you don't get the type of performances England gave against Iran. We're talking about the same kind of level.

They are, at the moment, it seems, ahead of the rest.

Costa Rica attempted zero shots in this game, the lowest total for any team in a single match in the 2022 World Cup.

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We've got one game still to come today on day four and it's one you can watch on BBC One as Belgium take on Canada.

Here's the team news...

It's what Spain needed.

Coming into this tournament they had a few questions, young players coming in, can they find and come up with answers? Well, it's been a perfect training session for them because that's pretty much what it has been.

It's not been a contest, it's been a warm up. There will be bigger games to come but if you're getting over 1,000 passes in a game, then that's an incredible achievement.

Spain really have been brilliant in this game.

Spain's 18-year-old Gavi becomes the youngest goalscorer at a World Cup since Pele in 1958 with a stunning strike during their 7-0 win against Costa Rica.

Marvel at that goal here...

SMS Message: Great performance by Spain, you have to say expected against a Costa Rica that only has two players in the first XI playing in Europe, and as we know from Club World Cups European teams are dominant compared with the best of other continents. Not to mention one of the two European based is a Championship Sunderland player... Highlights the gulf in class. from Tom in Peterborough

Great performance by Spain, you have to say expected against a Costa Rica that only has two players in the first XI playing in Europe, and as we know from Club World Cups European teams are dominant compared with the best of other continents. Not to mention one of the two European based is a Championship Sunderland player... Highlights the gulf in class.

It's been humiliation for Costa Rica. It's been sublime from Spain.

And that's that.

Spain were absolutely amazing. Costa Rica, rather sadly, looking completely out of their depth.

The goals came from Dani Olmo (11 mins), Marco Asensio (21 mins), Ferran Torres (31 and 54 mins), Gavi (74 mins), Carlos Soler (90 mins) and Alvaro Morata (92 mins).

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Spain have scored seven goals in a World Cup match for the first time, with this set to be their biggest ever victory in the competition.

That was the last box ticked for Spain manager Luis Enrique and that was the biggest celebration by goalscorer Alvaro Morata. He was thrilled.

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SMS Message: I know Fifa want more in terms of the ball in play but when this game is 7-0 and it’s over who does All this extra added time help? It’s pointless. 8 minutes in a game that’s that shoreline is absolutely pointless and just risks injuries in that time. from Paul

I know Fifa want more in terms of the ball in play but when this game is 7-0 and it’s over who does All this extra added time help? It’s pointless. 8 minutes in a game that’s that shoreline is absolutely pointless and just risks injuries in that time.

That is seventh heaven for Spain and for a goal Alvaro Morata. The cherry on the cake. What a confident start this is at a World Cup for Spain.

Costa Rica will know they have plenty of time to regroup and come again. They take on Japan on Sunday and there's only seven places separating the two sides in the world rankings.

A win against Japan, who beat Germany earlier today, would keep them in contention for the last 16.

The best thing to do is never think about this game ever again. They have been completely outclassed from first minute to now.

And....

So, so simple but again, the quality is there. Damage for Costa Rica has been caused on the right-hand side, the game has been stretched wide. Nico Williams takes his man on and Navas has to step in, has to do something but Álvaro Morata is there waiting and all he can do is put out an outstretched arm and all he can do is lay it on a plate for Carlos Soler.

Eight minutes of injury time is what Costa Rica could have really done without.