Even Messi Could Not Watch Anymore As Spain Trashed Argentina 6-1

Argentina, on this evidence, don’t have a prayer unless Messi reaches Russia fully fit and ready to perform miracles.

Costa bulldozed the ball over the line on 12 minutes to give Spain the lead from Marco Asensio’s assist.

It was a classic Costa goal. He clashed with Manchester United keeper Sergio Romero and received lengthy treatment. He finally hobbled back on to huge applause before sprinting to the next loose ball.

With Costa set for Russia, Morata must now move back ahead of Rodrigo Moreno, who scored against Germany last Friday, and Aspas who was superb in the second half.

Argentina were not helping themselves in the first half, trying to play out from the back with Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo and Manchester City’s Nicola Otamendi combining. They were caught out for both early goals.

Spain Head coach heaps praise on the hat-trick hero:

Despite a dominating display from Spain they went into half-time just 2-1 up after Nicolas Otamendi headed into the net

Nicolas Otamendi Celebrates With Maximiliano Mesa

Not in the match-day squad, Lionel Messi (right) could only watch on from a box with Manuel Lanzini as his side struggled

Costa cries out in pain after clashing with Romero during his goal but was able to play on unlike the Argentine goalkeeper

Man United’s second choice keeper Romero (left) was replaced by Chelsea’s second choice Willy Caballero because of injury

AND LIONEL MESSI’S SEEN ENOUGH…

Lionel Messi upped and left his seat in a box at the Wanda Metropolitano after watching his side concede a sixth against Spain…

Chelsea’s Willy Caballero, now on in place of Romero who failed to recover from the Costa clash, had to pick the ball out of the net after Asensio crossed from the right for Isco to score. He would concede five more.

There were chants of ‘Ole!’ with every Spain pass before the half-hour mark but Argentina pulled a goal back before the break when Otamendi rose to head a corner past David De Gea.

De Gea seemed to be beaten by the bounce of the World Cup ball, which is already proving unpopular with keepers.

Aspas set up the inspired Isco to get the second and he made the third for Thiago Alcantara as Spain showed the sort of form that will make them favourites in Russia. Isco was at the heart of everything and his flicks and tricks got to Argentina late-on.

Sergio Ramos (right) kisses the boot of his Real Madrid and Spain team-mate Isco after he looked to have put the game to bed

Nicolas Tagliafico kicked him once too often and was booked although Isco followed him into the referee’s notes for his reaction. English official Anthony Taylor should have then sent the defender off as he scythed down Aspas moments later.

Aspas had the last laugh getting on the score sheet for the fifth and he then teed-up Isco to complete his hat-trick. Spain will face tougher tests but this was some performance in the last game before coach Lopetegui picks his squad.

Star man Isco can’t get in the Real Madrid team at the moment: ‘Perhaps I’m not getting the continuity I need at club level,’ he said. He’s on a roll for Spain, and so are Lopetegui’s sensational team.

Thiago Alcantara made it four shortly after as Spain really went through the gears and tore Argentina apart

Spain players celebrate together after their sixth goal gave them a resounding win over Argentina ahead of the World Cup