Isco Alcorcon scored a treble as Spain destroyed a Messi-less Argentina 6-1 in an international friendly on Tuesday night at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.
Diego Costa and Isco struck to earn La Roja a two-goal lead, only for Nicolas Otamendi to give the Albiceleste hope shortly before half-time. But a strong start to the second-half led to another two goals from Isco, plus scores from Thiago and Iago Aspas, in what was a decisive victory for Spain in their preparation for this summer's World Cup in Russia.
Spain boss Julen Lopetegui made two changes from the starting XI that drew 1-1 at Germany on Friday, with Marco Asensio in for David Silva and Diego Costa replacing Rodrigo. Meanwhile, in the Argentina camp, the big news was that Lionel Messi was still hampered by a minor injury and did not feature for head coach Jorge Sampaoli.
Surely the exasperations of the Argentine faithful could be heard when Gonzalo Higuain spoiled a golden chance to open the scoring in the first 10 minutes. It was a brilliant build-up from the Albiceleste and the Juventus man looked like he would volley in Maxi Meza's cross, but instead sent it bouncing wide.
Spain, on the other hand, would convert their first chance to take a 1-0 lead. An Argentina giveaway deep in their own half allowed Asensio to find Costa and the Atletico Madrid man finished right before a crunching collision with Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Despite conceding the goal, Argentina were controlling the tempo and the visitors crafted another chance, this time via a slick one-two combination between Meza and Giovani Lo Celso, but Sergio Ramos cleared right before Meza could shoot.
But Spain is simply a team you cannot let off the hook, and Argentina would rue that second missed chance, as a minute later Isco made it 2-0 to Spain when he rifled in a right-footer off a precise pass from Asensio from the right.
At the third time of asking Argentina would get their goal, as Otamendi by took an Ever Banega corner kick and deposited a header past goalkeeper David De Gea to make it a 2-1 scoreline at the half.
Spain came out strong to start the second-half, and it was too difficult for Argentina to keep the hosts under wraps. Andres Iniesta, as so often is the case, was the fulcrum on an attack that led to the third Spain goal. The Barcelona midfielder surgically filtered a ball into substitute Aspas, whose heavy touch forced him to go to the right, but that only opened up space to slot into for Isco, who took an Aspas pass and scored for a 3-1 lead.
Argentina's defensive frailties reared their head again minutes later and it was suddenly 4-1 to Spain. Isco collected a ball down the right flank, fed a pass to Aspas, who touched a pass for Thiago and the Bayern Munich man fired in for the goal.
But the worst of Argentina's defensive performance was yet to come. Sampaoli's defence managed to flub a long punt from De Gea, which allowed Aspas to easily run onto the ball and score past goalkeeper Willy Caballero to make it a 5-1 lead.
Seconds later it was 6-1, as Isco would complete his hat-trick and round out the final scoreline with a fine finish off an Aspas pass, thus completing yet another superb display from La Roja.
Source: marca.com
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