A dominating performance allowed Spain to cruise past Costa Rica 5-0 in an international friendly on Saturday night at the Estadio La Rosaleda in Malaga.
Jordi Alba and Alvaro Morata gave La Roja a 2-0 lead at half-time, which was then quickly doubled early in the second stanza thanks to a brace from David Silva. Andres Iniesta added a late strike to cap off an enjoyable evening for the home fans.
While he didn't get on the scoresheet, it was another hugely impressive national team outing for Isco, who danced and floated around the Costa Rican defence at will, creating chances and playing inch-perfect passes that defy explanation.
The only down note for the home fans while watching their former beloved player was seeing him ask to be substituted off after a crunching tackle from Costa Rica's Kendall Waston in the second-half.
GOALS
6' Goal! Spain 1-0 Costa Rica (Jordi Alba)
23' Goal! Spain 2-0 Costa Rica (Morata)
51' Goal! Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (David Silva)
55' Goal! Spain 4-0 Costa Rica (David Silva)
73' Goal! Spain 5-0 Costa Rica (Iniesta)
MATCH EVENTS
6' Goal! Spain 1-0 Costa Rica (Jordi Alba)
Jordi Alba left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by David Silva.
11' Attempt saved
Álvaro Morata (Spain) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Andrés Iniesta.
12' Lovely skill from Morata to dribble his way beyond a few defenders and into the area.
But he's unable to beat Carvajal at his near post from a tight angle, instead having to settle for a corner. Spain look more than up for the occasion here.
23' Goal! Spain 2-0 Costa Rica (Morata)
David Silva is played into the area and his ball across the face of goal is cut out by Carvajal, but the keeper knocks it straight into the path of Morata who tucks a simple finish into the empty net!
35' Morata wins a free-kick in a dangerous area, just over 20 yards out and slightly off to the left of the goal. Isco takes, and he bends a terrific effort in towards the near post, but Carvajal flies across to make an outstanding save!
41' WHAT. A. SAVE!
Sumptuous throughball from Isco there to play Morata clean through, as the offside flag rightfully stays down, but Carvajal reacts stunningly to get a paw to Morata's effort, turning him aside from point-blank range!
51' Goal! Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (David Silva)
Costa Rica architects of their own downfall here as a clearance attempt from Calvo smacks off a team-mate and straight into the path of David Silva, a bit fortunately, who picks out the smallest opening at the far post for Spain's third of the night.
55' Goal! Spain 4-0 Costa Rica (David Silva)
This is a work of brilliance from Spain - David Silva especially. The winger robs Oviedo of the ball on the flank with a terrific challenge before bursting into the area and beating Carvajal, who should have done better there.
65' Marco Asensio comes on to a welcome reception, following a terrific applause for Isco, who gives way here.
73' Goal! Spain 5-0 Costa Rica (Iniesta)
Spain's maestro caps off a five-star performance for his side with an excellent strike, charging forward and driving a well-struck effort beyond a full-stretch Carvajal and into the bottom corner!
LINEUPS
SPAIN (4-3-3): Kepa; Odriozola, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Iniesta, Busquets, Thiago; Isco, Silva, Morata.
SUBS: De Gea, Reina, Bartra, Nacho, Moreno, Alberto, Saul, Asensio, Illarramendi, Suso, Callejon, Vitolo, Aspas, Rodrigo.
COSTA RICA (5-4-1): Carvajal; Gamboa, Watson, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo; Bolanos, Borges, Tejada, Venegas; Urena.
SUBS: Pemberton, Moreira, Gonzalez, Gutierrez, Matarrita, Wallace, Rodriguez, Segura, Colindres, Ortiz.