Lopetegui pleased but cautious as Spain thrash Argentina

Source: Xinhua| 2018-03-28 16:51:02|Editor: Shi Yinglun
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MADRID, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Spain coach Julen Lopetegui was full of praise for his side after they beat Argentina 6-1 in a World Cup warm up game in Madrid on Tuesday night.

However, Lopetegui warned that the result would count for nothing when Spain kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal in June.

Real Madrid midfielder Isco scored a hat-trick and there were goals from Diego Costa, Thiago Alcantara and Iago Aspas, who also provided three assists in a brilliant second half performance.

"I congratulated and thanked the players, but this hasn't started yet. We have beaten a side with a fantastic history and the finalist in the last World Cup, but we will kick off the next World Cup with no points," Lopetegui said in his post-game press conference.

Argentina's defeat was watched from the stands by Lionel Messi, while Sergio Kun Aguero and Angel Di Maria were out of the Argentinean side.

"The result and the game were real," Lopetegui said, adding that Spain were also without Sergio Busquets.

"It is a friendly and not the same as a World Cup game, but we have to be happy," the Spain coach said.

Lopetegui expressed satisfaction at the way Spain were able to shake off early Argentinean pressure before Costa's opening goal.

Finally he also expressed satisfaction with the way Thiago covered for the injured Busquets: "[Thiago]is a player who likes football, who wants to learn and who also scored a goal," Lopetegui said.

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