Spain's clash with Argentina on Tuesday night was billed as a clash of two of the World Cup's pre-tournament favourites, but 'La Roja' sent the 'Albiceleste' home with their tails between their legs as a wonderful hat-trick from Isco helped Spain to a 6-1 victory.
Goals from Isco (3), Diego Costa, Iago Aspas and Thiago helped the hosts to a straightforward win at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Nicolas Otamendi's consolation proving to be the only bright spot for Jorge Sampaoli's side.
The South Americans were handed a crushing blow pre-match when talisman Lionel Messi was ruled out of the game due to a hamstring problem and they proved bereft of ideas without their star.
Things could have been very different for Agentina had Gonzalo Higuain converted from six yards with just five minutes on the clock, but he inexplicably fluffed his lines and from there on in there only looked like being one winner.
Digeo Costa staked his claim for more regular action as he powered past Sergio Romero on the slide after being slipped in by Marco Asensio with 12 minutes gone to open the scoring and it took a good challenge from Sergio Ramos to prevent Maximiliano Meza from getting a shot on goal shortly afterwards.
The game was exactly the sort of humling that teams hope to avoid in the run-up to a majour tournament, whilst spain will continue their World Cup preparations feeling that anything is possible.