Spain vs Costa Rica: 2022 World Cup, Group Stage Match Preview & Dream11 Prediction

Spain vs Costa is up next as Costa Rica side on the rise faces Giants, Spain in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday afternoon.

Match Details:

• Location: Doha, Qatar
• Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
• Date: Wednesday 23 November
• Kick-off Time: 9:30 PM IST
• Watch: Sports 18/HD, Jio Cinema App

Spain vs Costa Rica: Match Preview

f Euro 2020 did anything, it proved that Spain were back on the international stage to at least some degree.

While perhaps not the powerhouse of old, their run to the semi-finals did end their hoodoo of not having won a knockout game since winning Euro 2012. Though still a work in progress, Luis Enrique's team did impress last summer.

Wednesday's opponents Costa Rica, meanwhile, will take some beating. Afforded the luxury of being in-camp for a while now, they have previous when it comes to getting out of difficult-looking groups, as England and Italy found out in 2014.

An interesting looking group also containing Germany and Japan.

Team News:

Spain:

The Spanish Football Federation confirmed that left-back Jose Gaya suffered a sprained ankle during training with the national team, leaving the future involvement of Valencia's captain very much in doubt.

Cesar Azpilicueta sustained a calf problem during Chelsea's Premier League defeat to Newcastle last weekend but is expected to recover in time for the World Cup opener.

Costa Rica:

Luis Fernando Suarez has used a sickening 77 players during his tenure as Costa Rica manager - which only began in June 2021. "It was a bit too much at one point," he admitted. "Something was lost."

The 62-year-old managed to whittle that number down to 26 and all the members of his final selection are expected to be fit for the opener.

Spain vs Costa Rica: Head to Head:

Spain have an impressive record against Costa Rica and have won two of the three matches played between the two teams, with the other game ending in a draw.

Spain have never played against Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup and are unbeaten in their three friendlies against the CONCACAF side.

The three previous games between the two teams have produced a total of 12 goals - an average of four goals per game.

Predicted Line-ups:

Spain Starting 11 (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, Laporte, P Torres, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Gavi; F Torres, Morata, Williams.
Bench: Sanchez, Raya, Azpilicueta, Garcia, Guillamon, Llorente, Koke, Rodri, Soler, Asensio, Olmo, Pino, Sarabia, Fati.

Costa Rica Starting 11 (4-3-3): Navas; Martinez, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo; Tejeda, Bennette, Torres; Borges, Contreras, Campbell.
Bench: Alvarado, Sequeira, Vargas, Fuller, Waston, Matarrita, Chaco, Ruiz, Salas, Aguilera, Lopez, Wilson, Hernandez, Zamora, Venegas.

SPN vs CRC: Dream11 Predictions:

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