Spain vs Argentina: 5 battles that could decide the outcome

The current international break has lined up the best national sides against one another, providing the World Cup-bound teams with some much-needed match practice.

The Estadio Wanda Metropolitano will host one of the most awaited friendlies as Spain will take on Argentina.

La Furia Roja has been a solid unit under Julen Lopetegui and has not lost a game in 17 outings since he took over. Argentina, on the other hand, struggled to qualify for this year's World Cup.

The Spanish would have been said to be the favourites in this tie if not for a certain Argentine named Lionel Messi.

The GOAT's chances of starting tomorrow are 50/50 at best but Argentina's hopes of getting a result depend on him. He is the one player to watch out for in this game as Spain will have to be prepared to tackle the great man.

Here is a look at the five key battles that will decide how the match will shape up at the home of Atletico Madrid:

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#5 Isco vs Javier Mascherano

Isco's potential battle against Mascherano will be very intriguing

Though Isco has not been able to nail down a starting berth at Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane, he has been a regular for Spain since the last Euros. He enjoys the freedom when playing for Spain and it reflects in his performances.

Against Germany, his link-up play with David Silva and Andres Iniesta was eye-catching and he will be looking to create chances and trouble the Argentinian side with his playmaking abilities.

With Silva out of tomorrow's game, the onus will be on the Madrid man to be the creative force alongside Iniesta.

The man that might be charged to stop Isco from having a free reign will be Javier Mascherano.

He recently admitted his preference to play in midfield and will be looking to prove a point by stopping the industrious yet highly creative Spanish midfield.

A lot will depend on how Mascherano negates the guile and nimble feet of Isco which may eventually decide the outcome of the match.

#4 Sergio Ramos vs Gonzalo Higuain

Higuain will be looking to get the better of his former Real Madrid teammate; Ramos

Despite Mauro Icardi waiting in the wings, Jorge Sampaoli has time and again trusted Higuain to lead the line for Argentina. The former Real Madrid forward has scored many but is unfortunately remembered for all his crucial misses.

After missing a fair number of chances against Italy, he is again expected to start and be the sole striker against Spain. To keep him in check, the duty will be given to Spain's captain and Higuain's former teammate Sergio Ramos.

Despite all the criticism, he manages to create chances for himself and Spain will be wary of the fact that on his day, the striker can take apart any defence in the world.

Ramos has done well against the traditional no.9s of the world but usually struggles against strikers that rely on pace to get behind him (like he did at times against Timo Werner on Friday). He will be up for the challenge against Pipita and will look to keep the Argentine silent.

#3 Andres Iniesta vs Ever Banega

Iniesta and Banega will look to be the creative forces for their sides

Iniesta and Banega are the two midfield lynchpins for their respective sides that have the ability to influence the proceedings in a game. As he showed once again in the match against Germany, Iniesta is still running strong and was the best player on the field.

Banega, on the other hand, has been Sevilla's creative force from midfield and also bagged a goal against Italy on Friday. The onus will be on this two to carve out chances for their sides and have the composure to find their teammates in tight spaces.

Both these midfielders have done it effectively for their clubs this season and will now battle against one another to find out which midfielder comes out on top in this friendly. Midfield wins you games and these two can surely do it on the big stage.

#2 Marco Asensio vs Gabriel Mercado

Asensio is Spain's X-factor and Mercado could be in for a long evening

After giving the debutant Fabricio Bustos a chance against Italy, La Albiceleste may start with Gabriel Mercado at right back. The Sevilla fullback has been a mainstay for Sampaoli and tomorrow will be given the task of marking Asensio.

Impressing in a cameo performance against Germany and with David Silva out, Asensio may start for La Roja tomorrow. He will be desperate to prove his worth in a big game and show the manager that he can deliver for the national team as well.

Mercado was ripped apart by Asensio in Real Madrid's 5-0 win over Sevilla in December and the right-back will want to avoid a repeat of this.

He will have to keep Asensio's darting runs in check and will also have to avoid giving the Madrid man any room to deliver a cross or hit a shot on goal. The Spaniard is a game changer and Mercado will have to be on top of his game to keep the elusive playmaker in check

#1 Jordi Alba vs Lionel Messi

Messi may have to get the beating of club teammate; Jordi Alba

After sitting out the friendly against Italy, Messi is back in training with the national side and is expected to play a part tomorrow.

It is widely believed that El Pulga will start against Spain and if he does so, the Barcelona talisman will be deployed on the right flank where he will have to battle against his club teammate.

This will be an exciting duel to watch out for as the two share an almost telepathic bond while playing for the Blaugrana. They have linked up brilliantly this season but for this friendly, Alba will have to keep all that aside and focus on stopping Messi from running havoc.

La Albiceleste's best moments revolve around Messi and in order to influence the game, he may need to drop deep, running in behind or getting in alongside Higuain.

Alba will be ready for his club teammate's guile & trickery and it can be said that the left back is the best possible bet to keep Messi silent as he knows how the Argentine captain operates. This battle is surely the one to watch out for!