Isco netted a hat trick as Spain romped to a 6-1 victory over Argentina in Madrid, where Lionel Messi again watched from the stands.
Argentina, also without Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero because of a knee problem, should have gone ahead in the eighth minute.
Romero also picked up an injury after being caught in the chest by Costa’s boot during the collision, and the Manchester United keeper was replaced by Chelsea’s Willy Caballero in the 24th minute.
Argentina went close when Giovani Lo Celso played a neat one-two which released Meza into the Spain penalty area, but the Independiente forward stabbed his shot just wide.
Caballero’s stray goalkick was intercepted before being quickly fed down the right to Asensio, whose cutback across the penalty area picked out Isco for a cool sidefoot finish.
Argentina reduced the deficit in the 39th minute when Nicolas Otamendi’s header from a corner bounced past David De Gea and inside the far post.
At the start of the second half, Costa was replaced by Iago Aspas — and the Celta Vigo forward had a hand in Spain’s third in the 52nd minute.
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