Malaga: Spain’s stunning form under coach Julen Lopetegui continued as David Silva scored twice in a 5-0 friendly thrashing of Costa Rica here, Saturday. Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Alvaro Morata also netted in a one-sided display from the 2010 World Champions.
The only negative for Spain was the sight of local hero Isco being asked to be substituted after being hit with a tough tackle from Costa Rica defender Kendall Waston, who was immediately hauled off after being booked for the challenge.
The Real Madrid midfielder, who is from Malaga and spent two impressive seasons playing at La Rosaleda before moving to Madrid, was given a standing ovation as he left the pitch.
Aguero seals Argentina win
Sergio Aguero scored the first goal at the reopened Luzhniki Stadium as Argentina beat Russia 1-0 in a friendly, Saturday.
Aguero scored on the rebound in the 86th minute to give Argentina a seven-game unbeaten streak despite a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign.
It was the first game in four years at Moscow’s vast Luzhniki Stadium, which will stage the World Cup final next year, though some fans voiced concerns that security forces and transport links were overloaded by the capacity crowd.
With a sellout crowd, security was tight at Luzhniki. Many fans complained on social media that security kept them in the stadium for up to half an hour after the game and that police nearby forced fans down packed streets.
There were complaints it took up to 90 minutes to reach nearby subway stations on crowded roads lined with fences and police. That compares to 10 to 15 minutes normally.
associated press
