Doha, Nov 23 (EFE).- Ferran Torres scored twice as Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 at the Al Thumama in Doha on Wednesday to start their World Cup campaign with an impressive statement of intent.

Costa Rica were totally outclassed by the slick Spaniards, who passed the Central Americans off the pitch, creating chance after chance throughout the 90 minutes.

Dani Olmo got the goal feast started with an excellent turn and finish in the 11th minute, with a Marco Asensio strike and a Torres penalty sending Spain into the break 3-0.

Ferran Torres (C) of Spain scores the 4-0 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group E soccer match between Spain and Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, 23 November 2022. EFE/EPA/Abir Sultan

Costa Rica had barely laid a glove on the Iberians during the opening period, and that trend continued in the second half as Torres bagged his brace 10 minutes after the restart following more poor defending from Los Ticos.

Barcelona’s Gavi became the youngest scorer at the World Cup since Pele when he got the fifth with the best goal of the night, volleying in from the edge of the area with the outside of his right foot, before Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata added gloss to an already spectacular win.

The manner of the victory will give Spain an enormous boost ahead of their crunch Group E clash against Germany, who lost earlier on Wednesday to Japan. EFE

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