World Cup 2022: Spain Heading for a Winning Start

Spain vs Costa Rica

Highly fancied Spain open their 2022 World Cup 2022 tournament with a clash against underdogs Costa Rica on Wednesday; and a win for Luis Enrique’s team is surely on the cards.  

Group E is as tough as it gets, with Spain, Germany, a dangerous Japan team and Costa Rica battling for qualification to the knockout phase, and La Roja are favourites, according to the latest World Cup 2022 betting odds. Costa Rica are ranked 31^st in the world and that makes them underdogs, but the Central American team are hanging on to their dreams that they can emulate the quarter final appearance of their Class of 2014, and they still have two of those stars in their ranks. 

But let’s face reality: at 1.16 to win, it would be a major shock if Luis Enrique’s Spain were to slip up in their opener and the World Cup 2022 news pages would be adorned with the Red and Blue of Costa Rica.    

Talking Points

Spain’s young stars must show grit  

Spain have a real chance to reign in Qatar and they have plenty of big tournament experience from the likes of skipper Sergio Busquets and striker Alvaro Morata. But it is the youthful nature of this squad which is capturing the imagination of the Spanish fans and neutrals around the world. With Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati up front; Pedri, Gavi and Yeremy Pino in midfield and the impressive Pau Torres at the back Spain have a talented core which could challenge the likes of Brazil, Argentina and France for years to come.

Enrique’s team finished top of qualifying Group B with 19 points but, apart from a 4-0 mauling of Georgia last September they did labour at times, drawing with Greece and loosing to Sweden. There is little doubt that Spain will make it to the qualifying rounds but then comes the danger, and if they come across a tough opponent like Sweden then this talented team might come unstuck, quite possibly on penalties as they did in a Euro 2020 semi-final against Italy after dominating for much of the 120 minutes.

Spain will be easy on the eye and will producer a vibrant brand of football but, at some time in the tournament they will need to tough it out… 

Nothing to lose for Costa Rica

…and Costa Rica will be up for a scrap on Wednesday. Head coach Luis Fernando is experienced at this level. Suarez led Ecuador to the World Cup Round of 16 back in 2006 and he also managed Honduras at the 2014 World Cup. But this must be his biggest challenge of all. His team has landed in a group with two teams that have a genuine chance of winning the tournament. Germany are on a mission to eradicate the memory of their disastrous campaign in 2018 while Spain are among the four favourites. But Costa Rica will start with high hopes and can call on two old heads to lead their charge. Keeper Keylor Navas caught the attention of Real Madrid with a string of man-of-the-match performances for Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup. Now playing at PSG he is in competition with Gianluigi Donnarumma for the keeper’s gloves; so this competition gives the 35 year old stopper a chance to enjoy a perfect swansong.  

Another veteran, the 37 year old Bryan Ruiz, could well add to his 146 caps and he will try to keep things ticking over in an advanced midfield role. The former Fulham forward has an eye for goal and a superb shot, and he has bagged 29 for his country, with plenty of spectacular strikes. 

And Premier League fans will recognise another Costa Rica star in the shape of former Arsenal youth player, Joel Campbell, who will lead the line.  

History

Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and this is their 17^th appearance at the finals while Costa Rica made that special run to the quarter finals in 2014 as one of their six campaigns so far.

La Roja have six wins, two draws and one defeat in 2022 while Costa Rica have nine wins, two draws and a single defeat this year, a run which has included a draw with Mexico and a defeat over an impressive Canada.   

Betting Tip

If you fancy a shock result then you can back Costa Rica at 14.00 or the draw at a SBOTOP price of 7.40, but that’s not for me.  I believe Spain have too much quality for the Central Americans and will make a fast start and, for an alternative bet, over 2.75 goals at odds of 1.93 is worth a closer look.

 

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