Key events
2 minutes “As a Rams fan of a certain vintage, it’s hard not to feel that Costa Rica aren’t as fun now that Paolo Wanchope has hung up his boots,” says David Hopkins. “Say, is that enough to justify posting a video of that goal at Old Trafford? You know you really want it.
Oh come on then.
That’s what I call jokes.
1 minute Peeppeep!
The captains, Sergio Busquets and Keylor Navas, say hello in the center circle. I forgot to mention that Gavi is about to break Cesc Fabregas’ record and become the youngest in Spain world Cup player. You hardly notice such things because he is a 28-year-old footballer in the body of an 18-year-old.
“I also use the Guardian comments because my mandarin is not up to it! writes Alexandra Fullerton. “Can’t wait, nail biting stuff. Vamos La Sélé! Pura Vida!!!!”
Not to depress the whole thing, but we are all going to die one day if Spain do not win, their game against Germany will be close to a playoff.
enough chatter: the players are on the field, the supporters encourage each other on the big screen and it’s time for the second match at el grupo de la muerte.
“Wait, you mean Joel Campbell is a real player? sniffs Matt Dony. “I always assumed it was invented by Arsenal as some sort of benefits fraud or tax evasion which I didn’t fully understand.”
Did you spend a holiday in the Kerguelen Islands in June 2014?
“Pedantic alert that you are free to ignore: San Jose, Costa Rica is in the same time zone as Chicago, where the game kicks off at 10 a.m. writes Matt Burtz. “I believe you may have given the time for San Jose, California. Too many cities named San Jose!
They literally they all look the same, especially when you do a half-baked Google search while simultaneously trying to figure out who is playing as Costa Rica’s right centre-back. God bless ADHD.
One word is used more than another to describe Spanish football. It’s fair to assume that Luis Enrique wasn’t a Menswe@r fan.
“Long time reader of an email for the first time” writes Aaron in Nashville. “You’re the funny Beatle of all MBMers, so you’re my captionist while I watch the game in Spanish. Because let’s face it, football is just more exciting in Spanish.
I think it’s a compliment, my first of the decade, so thank you! Wait what?
Germany 1-2 Japan
Jamie Jackson had the abundant pleasure of being at the Khalifa International Stadium today. Here is his report.
Luis Fernandez Suarez is set to coach his third team at a World Cup: Ecuador 2006, Honduras 2014 and now Costa Rica.
I was so impressed with Suarez. Just a fantastic man; I immediately had the impression that if you were a footballer, this is the kind of person you would want to play for. https://t.co/L5IDNJQS4Z
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) November 23, 2022
Swot up, there will be a test on site before the match
Full-time: Germany 1-2 Japan
The first game of the group of death was a cracker: Japan came from behind to win 2-1, and Germany were beaten by Argentina in the last chance square. Already. The great Scott Murray was watching.
Team News
Rodri starts in central defense for Spainwith Ferran Torres or Marco Asensio as false nines.
The Costa Rica squad includes exciting Sunderland teenager Jewison Bennette as well as some more familiar faces from the World Cup: Keylor Navas, Joel Campbell, Celso Borges and the others.
Spain (4-1-2-3) Simon; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Albi; Busquets; Gavi, Pedri; Torres, Asensio, Olmo.
Replacements: Balde, Carvajal, Fati, Eric Garcia, Guillamon, Koke, Llorente, Morata, Pino, Raya, Sanchez, Sarabia, Soler, Torres, Williams.
Costa Rica (possible 5-4-1) Navas; Martinez, Fuller, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo; Campbell, Borges, Tejeda, Bennette; counter.
Replacements: Alvarado, Chacon, Hernandez, Lopez, Matarrita, Ruiz, Salas, Sequeira, Torres, Vargas, Venegas, Waston, Wilson, Zamora.
Arbitrator Mohammed Abdulla (UAE)
OUT OF MY SIGHT AND CLICK THIS LINK NOW
Manchester City’s Rodri, who starts in defense today, also spoke to Our Sid
Spaniard Rodri: “When you look at it from the players’ point of view, [there’s] France, England: the market value they have is incredible. But honestly, collectively, I think we’re the best national team, and that’s our strength.
By @sidlowe https://t.co/RewVX1lEs3
– Sport Guardian (@guardian_sport) November 23, 2022
Sid Lowe interviews are always great. Here he chats with Unai Simon, the Spanish goalkeeper.
Preamble
For most teams, the opening game of a World Cup is often a suspicious and forgettable affair. Ask Denmark, Tunisia, Morocco, Croatia, Mexico and Poland. The Spanish national team does things differently; of course they do. In the modern era, they started their World Cup campaign with all sorts of memorable games: the belts (Nigeria 98, Portuguese 18), resounding defeats (Nigeria 98, Switzerland 10, Netherlands 14), spectacular false auroras (Ukraine 06), late twists (South Korea 94Nigeria 98 yetabloodygain) controversial defeats (Brazil 86) – and, okay, some suspicious, forgettable stuff (Honduras 82, Uruguay 90and yes Ruben Sosa’s penalty still occasionally appears on air traffic control charts).
What will it be today? It’s tempting to expect a comfortable win, like against Slovenia in 2002, although we have already made this mistake. It’s probably safer to dwell on Spain’s style than substance. They are a unique team, fearless tightrope walkers who keep the ball better than anyone in the world. But they too – drink! – lack of a reliable goalscorer.
Alvaro Morata’s record is better than you might think, 27 in 57 games (including 15 appearances as a substitute) – but, brilliant as he may be, I doubt he would even describe himself as ‘reliable’ . And chances are it won’t start today anyway.
Morata scored the late goal against Sweden which secured Spain’s place in Qatar. It was reasonably difficult – they had to draw this last game at Sevilla, mainly due to a slow start in the group – but they are rightfully one of the favorites to win the competition. Since you asked, it’s my tip, and I played responsibly by placing £0.00 on it. They were arguably the best team at Euro 2020, where they lost to Italy on penalties in the semi-finals, and whoever beats them will have to do a lot of work without the ball.
Costa Rica recovered from an even worse start to qualify via a playoff against New Zealand. Since taking office last year, their charismatic Colombian coach Luis Fernando Suarez has used – and you’ll like it – 77 players, including 22 rookies. But he has developed a side with an interesting age profile, from 35-year-old Keylor Navas to 18-year-old Jewison Bennette who are solid defensively and love their chances even in such a tough group.
And why not. The last time Costa Rica were in a group of death, along with Italy, Uruguay and England in 2014, they won the bloody coup and were one penalty shootout away from reaching the semis. -finals.
To start up 4 p.m. GMT, 5 p.m. Madrid, 810 a.m. in San José, 7 p.m. in Doha.