Spain thrash Argentina 6-1 as Isco grabs hat-trick

MADRID - 28 March 2018: Spain sent out a warning to their World Cup rivals as Isco grabbed a hat-trick in a 6-1 thrashing of Argentina, who were missing the injured Lionel Messi, in a friendly on Tuesday.

Diego Costa, Thiago and Iago Aspas also got on the scoresheet as the 2010 world champions humiliated a hapless Argentina team who struggled without their talisman Messi.

Both sides missed good chances in the opening exchanges before Costa bravely prodded in from close range after 12 minutes, despite being clattered by goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

Both players required lengthy treatment and eventually left the pitch at different stages.

Romero's replacement, Chelsea back-up Willy Caballero, had a nightmare, giving the ball away with his first touch as Isco gleefully swept home Spain’s second in the 27th.

Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi briefly offered the visitors hope as he nodded the ball in before the break.

After the restart, however, it was again all Spain with Argentina's haphazard goalkeeping and defending ruthlessly exposed as Isco (twice), Thiago and Aspas completed the rout.