Spain hit Argentina for six with Isco’s hat-trick

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With the announcement that Lionel Messi would not be playing in Tuesday's friendly between Spain and Argentina due to a muscle problem, the host team, Spain, sent out a warning to their World Cup rivals as Isco grabbed a hat-trick in a 6-1 thrashing.

Isco Alarcon of Spain in action. /VCG Photo

It was Diego Costa who bravely prodded in from close range after 12 minutes to put Spain ahead 1-0, despite being clattered by goalkeeper Sergio Romero. In the 27th minute, Isco swept home La Roja's second goal in the Spanish capital. Then Nicolas Otamendi provided a rare highlight for Argentina as his header made it 2-1 before the break.

But after the restart, it was all Spain. In the 52nd minute, Isco restored the two-goal cushion with his second of the game. Three minutes later, Thiago Alcantara got on the scoresheet to make it 4-1 Spain. Iago Aspas added the fifth in the 73rd minute before Isco completed his hat-trick shortly after.

Javier Mascherano of Argentina reacts during the International Friendly match. /VCG Photo

Despite the defeat, it was still a historic night for Argentina's captain Javier Mascherano. The Hebei Fortune defender equaled Javier Zanetti's record for appearances with 142 caps.

As for other international friendlies, Brazil visited Germany in Berlin. This was a chance to atone a bit for possibly the darkest day in their footballing history when, four years ago, they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semi-final of their own World Cup.

In the 37th minute, Gabriel Jesus found the chance as he gave Tite's side a 1-0 lead with his header rolling into the net past German goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and it sealed the visitor’s win. It was Germany's first defeat in 22 matches.