5 talking points about Spain 6-1 Argentina: Albiceleste's dependence on Messi shown

Spain ruthlessly tossed aside Lionel Messi-less Argentina as Isco claimed a hat-trick in a one-sided thrashing.

Diego Costa opened the scoring for the Spanish when he bravely slid in with Sergio Romero and won the ball first, after a fine through ball from Marco Asensio.

Real Madrid ace Asensio showed off his assist making again when he pulled back for club teammate Isco to tap in a second - as Argentina's defence collapsed.

But Nicolas Otamendi pulled the deficit back to a single goal when he bypassed Sergio Ramos to nod in Ever Banega's corner. From then on it was Spain's fiesta as Argentina took a siesta.

Isco took seven minutes after the break to slot in a second before Iago Aspas rounded the keeper to set up Thiago.

Former Liverpool flop Aspas tapped in a fifth before Isco completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute to complete the rout.

Here are 5 talking points...

1. No Messi, no party

Lionel Messi missed out for the second friendly of the break due to his fatigued hamstring and adductor and gave a snap shot of what life would be like if the worst case scenario happens for Argentina this summer.

Beating Italy, a side which failed to qualify for Russia, was one thing but a full-strength Spain in full flow was another proposition.

Ever Benega, Manimilliano Meza and Giovani Lo Celso all tried their best to do a Messi impression but nothing lives up to the real thing.

The most pressing issue is where the goals without Messi come from, with Gonzalo Higuain's first half shocker a timely reminder he hasn't netted an international goal since October 2016.

Messi or no Messi though, he doesn't play centre back...

2. Spain peaking too early?

The quality on show in the game bodes well for a strong World Cup this summer, although the walloping suggests Spain are the favourites for silverware in July.

France, Brazil and Germany are all capable of similar high standard of performances as this as are England, Uruguay and Belgium on their days.

All in all this is lining up to be a highly competitive with an attractive brand of passing and high pressure football.

This was a major statement from Spain that they will be the ones to be beaten - but they don't want to peak two and half months before the tournament.

3. Diego Costa: Spain's No.10

Whisper it in case Antonio Conte is listening, but Diego Costa is a big miss to the Premier League and the best striker in Spain.

On his home ground, the Atletico Madrid hot shot has netted in four of his last five starts for the national side.

With Alvaro Morata completely out of sorts, Costa should be the obvious choice to lead the line in Russia this summer - with Valencia's Rodrigo, who netted against Germany on Friday night, the useful option off the bench.

4. Sergio Ramos 150

Along with Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Ramos has been the seemingly ever-present during the era of Spain's rise to the pinnacle of world football.

Against Argentina, the Real Madrid centre back collected his 150th cap which will do doubt sit pretty along side his European Championship and World Cup winners medals.

It won't be a game he will look back on with complete fondness though, after he fluffed his defensive responsibilities at a corner to allow Otamendi to pull the visitors back into the match just before half time.

His second half couldn't have been easier.

5. The future's Spain

Friday night was all about Iniesta's never-aging passing master class.

Tonight was more about the next ones off the factory belt, with Marco Asensio producing an unreal first half showcase of his passing ability before Isco took over the mantel in the second half.

Each one of Isco's goal was passed into the net as if he was handing the ball to a teammate 10-yards away - he made it look too easy.

It was in contrast to a testing campaign with Real.

With Thiago also netting, the young guns are a terrifying look at the future of world football, with La Roja set to be a power house long after Ramos, Gerard Pique, Fernando Torres and the like have long gone.

Running riot against the likes of Liechtenstein is one thing but doing it to Argentina is something else.