Spain vs Costa Rica – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Spain vs Costa Rica on and what time does it start? Spain vs Costa Rica will take place on Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 – 16:00 (UK)
Where is Spain vs Costa Rica taking place? Spain vs Costa Rica will take place at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Spain vs Costa Rica? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Spain vs Costa Rica
What channel is Spain vs Costa Rica on in the UK? Spain vs Costa Rica will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Spain vs Costa Rica in the UK? Spain vs Costa Rica can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
SPAIN
- Spain were hugely disappointing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup as they were dumped out of the competition in a penalty shootout defeat to hosts Russia with that capping a second underwhelming tournament in succession.
- The Spaniards head to Qatar as one of the favourites to lift the crown and with the likes of talented Barcelona youngsters Pedri and Gavi to call upon, Luis Enrique will be confident his side can be serious contenders.
COSTA RICA
- Costa Rica failed to win any of their three matches at the 2018 FWC with a point in their final game with Switzerland all they had to show for their efforts and they will be desperate to improve on that showing in Qatar.
- The Costa Ricans arrive on a good run of form having won one of their last 13 matches but they have been placed in an extremely tough group and their lack of depth in their squad could prove to be an issue.
THE TEAM NEWS
SPAIN
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, P. Torres, Laporte, Alba; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; F. Torres, Morata, Sarabia
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
COSTA RICA
PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Navas; Martinez, Vargas, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo; Campbell, Borges, Tejeda, Bennette; Contreras
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Spain are competing in their 16th FIFA World Cup and this is their 12th successive appearance having not missed a final tournament since 1974
- Spain need just one goal to reach their 100th World Cup goal as they go into the tournament with a tally of 99 goals. Only five nations have scored more goals at the finals, those being Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy and France
- Spain have won their opening match in only two of their last 13 World Cup appearances (D4 L7)
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Spain have lost only two of their last 13 World Cup matches (W8 D3)
- Spain have lost only four of their last 26 World Cup group stage matches (W16 D6)
- Spain have lost only one of their last 11 international matches (W8 D2)
- Spain have only failed to score in one of their last 13 World Cup matches
- Spain have won three and drawn one of their previous four World Cup matches against CONCACAF representatives
- Spain have not failed to score in their last 21 international matches
- Sergio Busquets becomes the eighth player to represent Spain in four World Cup tournaments. He is the only previous World Cup winner in their squad
- Costa Rica have qualified for their third World Cup in succession having also featured at the finals in 2014 and 2018
- Costa Rica have won their opening match in three of their five World Cup appearances; W 1-0 vs Scotland (1990), W 2-0 vs China PR (2002) and W 3-1 vs Uruguay (2014)
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Costa Rica have won only two of their last 12 World Cup matches
- Four of Costa Rica’s last six World Cup matches finished level
- Three of Costa Rica’s five wins at the World Cup have come against European opposition; W 1-0 vs Scotland (1990), W 2-1 vs Sweden (1990) and W 1-0 vs Italy (2014)
- Oscar Duarte, Keylor Navas, Joel Campbell, Bryan Ruiz, Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda are all featuring at their third World Cup, a feat only previously achieved by Christian Bolaños (2006, 2014 and 2018)
- Costa Rica kept six clean sheets in their last seven matches in their successful qualifying campaign for Qatar 2022
THE PREDICTION
Spain have a good chance of advancing to the final stages of this tournament but will want to get off to a strong start as they take on Costa Rica. They have lost just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions and while the Costa Ricans can top that record with one defeat in 13, the Spaniards have faced a higher level of opposition during their respective runs. Costa Rica are likely to try and nullify Spain but that will be to their detriment going forward and with that in mind, the Spaniards should be able to prevail without conceding in this one.
TIP: SPAIN TO WIN TO NIL
