Barcelona's Alejandro Balde makes Spain debut in big World Cup win
The left-back came on for Jordi Alba in Qatar for the last 30 minutes against Costa Rica
Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde made his Spain debut at the World Cup on Wednesday in the 7-0 win over Costa Rica.
Balde, 19, was a late addition to the squad after Jose Luis Gaya was injured and came on for Jordi Alba in the 64th minute of the win in Qatar.
As recently as Friday, he was expecting to be involved with Spain U21s -- now he has made his debut in the biggest competition in the game.
Balde is one of eight Spain players at the World Cup. Five started the game -- Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Pedri and Ferran Torres -- and Balde came on, but Eric Garcia and Ansu Fati remained unused substitutes.
'LUCHO', DELIGHTED
Since he joined the camp on Saturday, Spain coach Luis Enrique has been delighted with Balde, whose ability to run with the ball led to Gavi's goal, Spain's fifth. Ferran also scored a brace.
