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On what was supposed to be a historic night for
Argentina captain Javier Mascherano, who joined Javier Zanetti
on 142 caps as his country’s record appearance holder, things
quickly turned sour as Diego Costa, Thiago and Iago Aspas also
found the net.
It will have made uneasy viewing for coach Jorge Sampaoli and
emphasized more than ever how reliant his side are on their
talisman Messi, who has been struggling with a muscle problem.
Should the Barcelona forward be missing at any point during this
year's finals in Russia, Argentina are likely to struggle
judging by their meek surrender in the Spanish capital.
Without Messi on the pitch there was room for someone to take
the game by the scruff of the neck and Real Madrid's outstanding
Isco filled the void.
The diminutive midfielder dictated play from the center of the
pitch throughout as Spain ruthlessly and consistently exploited
the high Argentine defensive line.
“I’m not going to discover anything else about how much I like
Isco and having him here with us,” Spain coach Julen Lopetegui
said.
“We’ve beaten a team with a strong history who got to the final
of the last World Cup. Obviously, once we’re there you start
from scratch and they had a couple of important absentees but
we’re happy – it’s a real match and a deserved win.”
Argentina might have taken the lead in the opening five minutes,
but striker Gonzalo Higuain volleyed wide from close range which
was an omen of things to come.
Costa then 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, who
starred in Friday’s 2-0 win over Italy, suffered a nightmare. A
wayward pass with his first touch saw Isco gleefully sweep home
Spain’s second in the 27th as they threatened to run riot.
Defender Nicolas Otamendi briefly offered the visitors hope as
he towered above the defense to nod in before the break.
But after the restart it was again all Spain with haphazard
goalkeeping and defending all contributing to a procession for
the former world champions, who condemned Argentina to their
heaviest defeat since a 2009 loss by the same score to Bolivia.
Spain face European champions and Iberian rivals Portugal as
well as Iran and Morocco in Group B at the World Cup, while
Argentina will play Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
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