Costa and Romero were both injured in the build-up to Spain's first goal
Diego Costa was taken off injured as Isco scored a hat-trick in Spain's huge 6-1 victory over Argentina at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.
Costa put himself in harm's way to slide in Spain's opening goal 12 minutes in, but was immediately taken off injured after colliding with Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
The former Chelsea striker looked distraught as he was replaced, while Manchester United back-up Romero was also forced off soon after.
Isco put Spain in control with the second of the game after just 27 minutes, but Nicolas Otamendi gave Argentina - without talismanic captain Lionel Messi - hope with a goal shortly before half-time.
Isco scored a hat-trick as Spain warmed up for the 2018 World Cup by crushing 2014 finalists Argentina in Madrid.
Spain raced into a 2-0 lead when Diego Costa stabbed past Sergio Romero before Isco side-footed his first goal.
Argentina, without injured forward Lionel Messi, pulled it back to 2-1 through Nicolas Otamendi's header.
Isco and Thiago Alcantara extended the lead to 4-1, with substitute Iago Aspas adding the fifth before Isco completed his hat-trick.
Razor-sharp Spain look real threat
Spain are now unbeaten in 18 games since Julen Lopetegui took charge following their exit at the first knockout stage of Euro 2016.
They have two more friendlies, against Switzerland and Tunisia, before they launch their World Cup group campaign against European champions Portugal on 15 June.
Lopetegui's side look a major threat on this evidence as they scored with all six shots on target.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who supported the recent Catalan independence referendum, ignored jeers each time he touched the ball in Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano to produce a solid performance at the back.
Andres Iniesta was outstanding in midfield, Isco showed his threat in front of goal and Aspas also did enough to suggest he should make the plane to Russia.
More to follow.
SpainArgentina
- Possession
- 52%
- 48%
- Shots
- 11
- 11
- Shots on Target
- 6
- 3
- Corners
- 1
- 5
- Fouls
- 21
- 14
In Pictures | International friendlies | 27/03/2018
But Argentina faded badly after the break as Isco scored two more to complete his hat-trick either side of goals from Thiago Alcantara and Iago Aspas to show the South American nation just how much pressure rests on Messi's shoulders in Russia this summer.
More to follow.
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