The term fear opponent gets a new dimension: Spain plays with a spectacle on the group cracker against the DFB selection. A young star follows in Pelé’s footsteps.
“Spanish Symphony.” “A brutal Spain.” “Ole, ole!” The euphoric headlines at home after the goal frenzy of the 2010 world champion make it clear after the 7-0 spectacle against Costa Rica what the German team can expect in the second group game at the World Cup in Qatar.
Before the game on Sunday (8:00 p.m. / ZDF and MagentaTV), the term feared opponent is rarely as trite for the DFB selection as it is for this Spain. The words of coach Luis Enrique also promise little good for his colleague Hansi Flick.
“I have no doubt that we will play against Germany with the same intensity – or even more,” said the 52-year-old after the biggest World Cup victory in Spanish football history. Of course, Enrique also warned against the well-known rival: “Tomorrow we will be the first to train to prepare for the game against Germany. We know that praise weakens us. But we won’t fall for it.”
Press is enthusiastic
“For dreaming”, headlined “As” after the gala performance of the title candidate at the beginning. The “Mundo Deportivo” portal tweeted immediately after the final whistle: “In Germany they are calling for help.” While Hansi Flick’s team is doomed to victory after Japan’s bankruptcy, Spain is under no pressure for the time being.
The three-time European champion acted as if from a single source against the underdog from Central America and landed a “Goleada”, a goal blessing. The Spanish King Felipe VI. then visited the winners in the locker room and, according to media reports, said: “I’ve never seen a game like this, with a result like this. The result is important, but watching the Selección play like this was a real pleasure.” The monarch said he hadn’t found a single mistake, although Enrique is said to have contradicted him.
In any case, the 40,013 visitors at Al Thumama Stadium found it difficult to spot any bumpiness in the Spaniards’ game. Her appearance was too dominant, the flow of the game too beautiful to look at. Up front, the fast attackers Ferrán Torres (FC Barcelona), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) and Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig) kept changing positions, behind them the Barça young professionals Pedri and Gavi, just 18 and 20 years old from Friday .
Super talent convinces
Gavi later accepted the Man of the Match trophy in a white shirt and suit. At 18 years and 110 days, he had also become the youngest World Cup goalscorer behind the legendary Pelé, who was 17 years and 249 days old in Sweden in 1958. He would get most of the advice from captain Sergio Busquets, revealed super talent Gavi, elegant on the pitch, ball-safe like no other and far-sighted, rather shy away from it. “I’m the youngest on the team and I have the utmost respect for everyone. On the pitch it’s a different matter: I’m not old there.”
“He’s only 18 years old but he has the personality of an experienced player,” said his coach. The 52-year-old ex-national player prophesied: “I think he will become one of the stars of world football.”
Special praise from Enrique
Even a veteran like Jordi Alba shone in the midst of Gavi and Co. The 33-year-old full-back received special praise from Enrique: “Jordi Alba is the best left-back with the best last pass and he was involved in all the goals. He was spectacular.” Alba’s Barcelona colleague Torres has often been overshadowed by Robert Lewandowski at his club, but played just as well.
“I don’t know if we’re favorites for the World Cup, but we certainly have a good chance. We’re very keen to do something big,” said the 22-year-old double goalscorer. He is only too well or badly remembered by the German team: he scored three times in the 6-0 “La Roja” 2020 against Germany.
The Iberians are the only big football nation against which the DFB selection could not win a competitive game in this millennium. The last victory was more than 34 years ago. “This result strengthens us all. But now Germany is coming and that will be complicated,” said head coach Enrique before the hit at the Al Bait Stadium. “But our team will not sit back and play without ifs and buts.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
