Summary

  • Use audio icon at top of page for live commentary from Al Thumama Stadium, Doha

  • FT: Spain 7-0 Costa Rica - Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Ferran Torres double, Gavi, Carlos Soler & Alvaro Morata

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate), or text your comments via WhatsApp on 03301231826

  1. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 59 mins

    Spain 4-0 Costa Rica

    That goal is Ferran Torres' last action as both he and Pedri come off with Paris St-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler and ex-Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, now with Atletico Madrid, coming on.

  2. Spanish attack has a trumpet soundtrackpublished at 17:17 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Spain 4-0 Costa Rica

    Chris Bevan
    BBC Sport at Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar

    There's quite a surreal atmosphere here now. The game is over as a contest - the players know it, and boy do the crowd know it too.

    The lone Spain trumpeter is doing his best, as a soundtrack to wave after wave of Spanish attacks.

  3. goal

    GOAL - Spain 4-0 Costa Ricapublished at 54 mins

    Ferran Torres

    Two for Ferran Torres, four for Spain. Torres gets a bit of luck as the ball rebounds into his path after a Costa Rica player can only partially block it, Torres with his back to goal, quickly spins to create some space and shoot past Keylor Navas. So easy.

    Four and counting.

    Ferran TorresImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    Dani Olmo gets in behind the Costa Rica defence but his pullback is cleared. Spain quickly regain possession though and come again. Jordi Alba tries his luck with a cross from the left touchline but Oscar Duarte sliding in is there to clear.

    No sign of Spain taking their foot off the accelerator.

  5. Postpublished at 53 mins

    Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    Ferran Torres sends in a dangerous low ball across the Costa Rica penalty area before Keysher Fuller takes no chances and hacks it away from danger.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Via What's App on 03301231826

    A lot of comments have alluded to it so far, but England and Spain have had remarkably similar starts to the World Cup. Doesn’t matter if the oppo is a poor team, the best way to show that is to see them off comprehensively.

    Jonas

  7. Postpublished at 50 mins

    Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    A glimmer of a half chance for Costa Rica as Bryan Oviedo finds Jewison Bennette 22 yards out but just as the teenager thinks of having a shot at goal, Manchester City man Rodri is there to nick the ball away out of his path.

  8. Postpublished at 49 mins

    Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta makes a surging run forward from right back and lays it off to Marco Asensio but, leaning back and off balance, he can only send it over the top.

    Cesar AzpilicuetaImage source, gett
  9. Pass, pass and pass againpublished at 47 mins

    Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    Spain have become the first team on record (since 1966) to complete 500 passes in the first half of a World Cup match (537).

  10. KICK-OFFpublished at 46 mins

    Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    We are back under way for the second half.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:05 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Via What's App on 03301231826

    To what extent is this Spain game a “statement of intent” versus a total mismatch in quality?

    Gills

  12. Postpublished at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    HT: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    Costa Rica have failed to have an attempt at goal in the first half of a World Cup match for the first time since 1990 v Sweden.

  13. Will the 2022 World Cup be carbon neutral?published at 17:02 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Media caption,

    Will the 2022 World Cup be 'carbon neutral'?

    BBC Sport looks at whether the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be carbon neutral, as pledged by football's world governing body Fifa.

  14. Vertonghen says players are being 'controlled' in Qatarpublished at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Belgium v Canada (19:00 GMT)

    Belgium play their Group F opener against Canada later today. In a press conference ahead of the match, 35-year-old defender, Jan Vertonghen, was asked about the situation in Qatar regarding players making comments on social issues.

    "We are being controlled," the former Tottenham Hotspur player said, adding, "I don’t like making political statements. We are here to play football, and if we can’t even do that because we are making a statement and just saying normal things, like ‘no to discrimination’ or ‘no to racism’, and you cannot say that, then hey, then what?”

    Earlier this week, captains of European clubs confirmed that they will not wear OneLove armbands at the World Cup, because of the threat of players getting yellow cards. Belgium have subsequently also confirmed they will not wear their white away shirts with the word "love" on the collar in the group stage, following a discussion with Fifa.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:56 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Via What's App on 03301231826

    Spain are a good side to watch I’m not saying they aren’t. Just saying can’t judge how good they actually are against teams like this. Look at last World Cup. Got through group without losing (though their only win was against Iran) then got promptly dumped out by Russia in first knockout round. They only won 2 games in normal time in last euros too even if they did get to semi final.

    Paul

    I know it’s only Costa Rica but Spain look a class above this year and i think that they could have a chance this year to win the World Cup

    Dan, Rossendale

  16. 'Easy for Spain'published at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    HT: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    Rob Green
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There were a number of questions marks at the start of the game as how Spain were going to play in terms of being able to breakdown Costa Rica and it has been the Barcelona players, it has been Sergio Busquets, it has been Pedri and Gavi who have shone.

    You look at those guys and the pleasure they have with playing in the same side and the understanding they have with each other to cut through Costa Rica.

    It has been easy.

    GaviImage source, Getty Images
  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:53 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    FPLNemo: Spain are playing PlayStation football. Their toying C.R. with their passing. Mesmerising!

  18. HALF-TIMEpublished at 16:51 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    Spain simply superb.

    Dani Olmo (11 minutes), Marco Asensio (21 minutes), Ferran Torres (31 minutes).

    It's 3-0 at the break and the only question is how many will Spain get in the second half?

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2022

    Via What's App on 03301231826

    You can only beat what's at front of you. The way Spain are playing with composure with comfort can't be ignored. Costa Rica can't get the ball. It is by far best 1st half performance all World Cup by Spain

    Chris H

  20. Postpublished at 45+5 mins

    Spain 3-0 Costa Rica

    Almost a fourth for Spain as Marco Asensio, under pressure from a sliding in Oscar Duarte, shoots off target.