Spain vs. Costa Rica: Score, Grades and Reaction from International Friendly

Costa Rica gave Spain an early scare in the international friendly between the two sides. Or perhaps it was a wake-up call, as Spain promptly gave Costa Rica a clinic in possession-based football.

Despite a goal in the sixth minute on the counter by Johan Venegas, Spain quickly recovered and knocked off the Costa Ricans, 2-1, behind goals from Paco Alcacer and Cesc Fabregas.     

In the end, Spain did what they generally do, controlling 64 percent of possessions. They also outshot the Costa Ricans 16-6 (7-1 on goal) and earned nine corners to just three for Costa Rica. As Andrea Canales of ESPN FC noted, the difference in depth between the teams was on full display:

AS English thought it was a strong display from both the Spanish side on the whole and Costa Rican 'keeper Keylor Navas:

Still, it was Costa Rica who got on the board first, quickly striking on the counter as Arsenal man Joel Campbell was sent free down the left flank. He made one deke and sent a perfect low cross into the center of the box for Venegas, who calmly slotted home the goal. 

Player	Position	Grade
Keylor Navas	GK	A-
Cristian Gamboa	D	C
Michael Umana	D	C
Roy Miller	D	C
Junior Diaz	D	C
Celso Borges	MF	B
Giancarlo Gonzalez	MF	B-
David Guzman	MF	B
Bryan Ruiz	F	B
Joel Campbell	F	A-
Johan Venegas	F	A-
Substitutes
Deyver Vega	MF	C
Jose Miguel Cubero	MF	C
Elias Aguilar	MF	C

Just two minutes later, however, the Spanish answered. With the Costa Ricans keeping a bit of a high line and falling asleep while doing so, Alcacer broke the offside trap and was all alone for goal after an incisive pass from Fabregas. He converted the opportunity with ease, curling his shot past the onrushing Keylor Navas to pull the game even. 

Alcacer has certainly started his international career with the senior squad in style, per MisterChip on Twitter:

In the 30th minute, Fabregas got on the board himself after a magical bit of buildup play from the Spaniards. Aleix Vidal sent a cross into Nolito, who quickly chipped the ball to Fabregas in front of the net, and the Chelsea star easily converted to give Spain a lead they wouldn't give up on the evening.

AS English thought the goal was a tasty display:

Spain was hungry for another goal, consistently pressuring the Costa Rican defense throughout the remainder of the match, but they couldn't find that insurance goal. 

Player	Position	Grade
David de Gea	GK	A-
Daniel Carvajal	D	B
Sergio Ramos	D	B+
Marc Bartra	D	B
Juan Bernat	D	B+
Aleix Vidal	M	A-
Mikel San Jose	M	B
Koke	M	B+
Cesc Fabregas	M	A
Nolito	M	A-
Paco Alcacer	F	A
Substitutes
Gerard Pique	D	B
David Silva	MF	B
Santi Cazorla	MF	B
Vitolo	MF	B
Isco	MF	B+
Sergio Busquets	MF	B-

The Costa Ricans lost a lot of steam after opening the scoring, though Bryan Ruiz did have an opportunity on the free-kick in second-half stoppage time. His effort sailed over the net, and it was the final kick of the game, as Costa Rica simply didn't have another goal in them.

Of course, Spain's triumph over a CONCACAF team is hardly surprising, as La Roja had a sparkling record against the confederation coming into the match, per OptaJose:

Make that 17 wins.

For Spain, getting back on track and putting forth a good performance was much-needed, even in a friendly. Up next is a Euro qualifier against Belarus, which the Spaniards will be expected to handle without much issue.

For Costa Rica, up next is a friendly against Mexico on June 27, with the Gold Cup right around the corner. That will be another key tuneup for the team as they look to make a splash at the CONCACAF tournament.