Costa Rica will look to stifle a gifted Spain group with the defensive self-discipline they’re identified for.
Who: Spain vs Costa Rica, Group E
The place: Al Thumama Stadium
When: Wednesday, November 23 at 7pm (16:00 GMT)
FIFA rating: Spain (7), Costa Rica (31)
Los Ticos — because the Costa Rica facet is thought — might be seeking to repeat their heroic performances on the 2014 World Cup, the place they defied the chances and topped a gaggle that included three World Cup winners: Uruguay, England and Italy. They then knocked out Greece within the spherical of 16, reaching the quarter-finals, the place they misplaced to the Netherlands on penalties.
They've once more drawn a troublesome group this yr, with Germany, Spain and Japan.
In Spain, they may face a group that features a mixture of younger promising gamers resembling 18-year-old Gavi and 19-year-old Pedri — each midfielders — in addition to seasoned veterans resembling Chelsea defender César Azpilicueta.
Below supervisor Luis Enrique, Spain have loved a robust run of type just lately, topping their UEFA Nations League group and choosing up a morale-boosting win in opposition to Portugal in September.
However anybody who underestimates Costa Rica does so at their peril. Los Ticos have received their final 5 matches and notched up some spectacular performances of their World Cup qualification marketing campaign, together with wins over Canada and america.
“The primary match is at all times troublesome, however on paper, Spain is the favorite to beat Costa Rica,” says Sayed Nabawy, a sports activities journalist specialising in Spanish soccer. “A win would give Spain confidence within the subsequent sport, the place they may meet Germany.”
Costa Rica are anticipated to play a conservative model of soccer. It's a type they've change into identified for lately and is one which pissed off a number of high-profile groups in 2014. On the coronary heart of the defensive construction is Keylor Navas, the Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper who has made greater than 100 appearances for his nation.
Spain will look to their attacking aptitude to interrupt down an often-stubborn Costa Rican defence. They won't desire a repeat of their opening match at Euro 2020 in opposition to Sweden, the place they failed to attain regardless of having 17 photographs on purpose and a staggering 86 % of the possession.
Costa Rica will face a troublesome job up entrance, with the 30-year-old ex-Arsenal ahead Joel Campbell going through the likes of Actual Madrid’s Dani Carvajal and Barcelona’s Eric Garcia in defence. Spain haven't conceded greater than two objectives in a sport since they beat Croatia 5-3 at Euro 2020 greater than a yr in the past.
Spain have determined to go away a number of high-profile names out of their World Cup squad, together with Navas’ former Actual Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos and Manchester United’s David de Gea.
Neither group carried out properly on the final World Cup, with Costa Rica ending backside of their group with just one level and Spain dropping to Russia within the final 16. They are going to each wish to make up for that in Qatar – beginning on Wednesday.
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