Spain vs Costa Rica: 5 talking points

Spain continued the upward spiral leading up to the showpiece event in Russia next year as they beat a hapless Costa Rica side by five goals. Jordi Alba, Alvaro Morata, Andres Iniesta and a brace from David Silva saw the former world champions cruise to yet another big victory, at La Rosaleda in Malaga.

La Roja's scintillating attacking moves left the visitors chasing the red herrings, as they were torn asunder by a well-oiled Spanish unit.

Julen Lopetegui guided his side to a top spot finish in the qualifiers ahead of Italy and is now moulding them into the side that dominated Europe not so long ago. Costa Rica, meanwhile, have a rough road to the Russian gates.

Let's delve through some of the major talking points from the lopsided friendly.

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#1 Spain are getting back to their best

The 2-0 defeat at the hands of Italy and the subsequent elimination from the Euro 2016 in the pre-quarters officially signalled the end of the Spain's golden age that swept everything aside on their way. Having meekly relinquished their World Cup title another two years before the Euro disappointment, La Roja seemed to have hit the glass ceiling after eight years of supremacy. The force with which they were once reckoned with, witnessed a precipitous decline.

Now fast forward your calendar by another 16 months, and Spain are showing the signs of their former selves. The influx of several new and talented youngsters has breathed new life into the team and that wasn't more evident when they thumped Italy 3-0 in the qualifiers last month.

The rich vein of form was conspicuous against La Tricolor too, battering the pulp out of the visiting minnows. Deployed in the high-pressing 4-1-4-1 formation, Spain threw the kitchen sink at Costa Rica with a mammoth tally of 17 shots, 10 of which were on target and 5 of which found the back of the net, never giving Oscar Ramirez's side any moment to catch a breath.

Spain's rapid resurgence doesn't spell anything nice for the top shouts in the race for the World Cup glory next year. Even though Julen Lopetegui's side aren't the downright favourites for the title in Russia, but you can bet your dollars to doughnuts.

#2 Costa Rica have fallen, and have fallen hard

Costa Rica haven't kicked on in the last few years

The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil was one of the most eventful in the recent memory. A greater event of significance among them was minnows Costa Rica reaching the last 8 of the tournament. Having drawn alongside the likes of Uruguay, Italy and England, the odds of the Central Americans even progressing beyond the first stage was negligible. Yet, they pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the World Cup history by qualifying over the European teams and at the top of the table.

The fairytale run ended after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Netherlands in the quarter-finals, but by then, La Sele had already punched above their weight.

More than three years have passed since, and Costa Rica have receded into mediocrity once again. The 5-0 hammering last night couldn't have timed it better, for they parted like the red sea and looked terribly submissive.

The first four goals resulted on account of some shambolic defending, while the exploits at the other end was hardly any more productive. The near-miss towards the end of the game in a relatively well-worked move was the only genuine moment of threat from the visitors, who otherwise spent most of the evening on the back foot.

Although this was a Costa Rica side without some of their star names, the match just reflects how much they've been left behind in the years since.

#3 David Silva can help Spain make it large in Russia

The Merlin was magnificent again

Manchester City's talismanic midfielder David Silva has upped his game this season. Not only has he grown in stature more than ever at his club with his imperious creative influence, but his stock with La Roja continues to swell. Having played an instrumental role in his side's pristine qualifying phase, Silva delivered the goods again, scoring twice and assisting another to row Spain past a still Costa Rican ditch.

The Spaniard's first real contribution in the mauling came as early as the sixth minute when he delivered a cross into the box which Jordi Alba coolly slotted home for the opener as the visitors failed to clear the danger.

Even after Alvaro Morata was subbed, the hosts showed no signs of slowing down as Silva then found the net after a defensive muddle by Costa Rica. Just five minutes later, he compounded the misery with another strike from just a few yards out as Silva was enjoying his terrific run of form.

The former Valencia star is one of the driving factors behind Manchester City's blistering run in the Premier League, for his creative influence on the team has grown manifold this time. Similar signs have begun to show when in the national team colours too, and David Silva can really drive Spain all the way single-handedly with this kind of performances.

#4 Costa Rica missed the brilliance of Ruiz and Navas

Bryan Ruiz and Keylor Navas

Going back to Costa Rica's phenomenal outing in Brazil three years ago, one of the driving factors behind the same was the incredible prowess of Bryan Ruiz and Keylor Navas in their respective areas of operation. Whilst the former ran the show from the midfield and also shared the scoring burden of his team, the Real Madrid custodian was the bulwark that repelled almost everything thrown at him.

The influence that these two had on the Ticos at the time was unbelievable. And without them today, the visitors looked a poor imitation.

With Danny Carvajal (not to be confused with that of Spain) guarding the net in the absence of Navas, Costa Rica were missing an authoritative figure at the back as they easily gave into Spain's high-pressing. Whilst the defence wasn't any better, Carvajal was at fault for one of the goals and could have done better in that moment to prevent conceding.

The creative mantle that Ruiz normally carries fell to the incapable shoulders in his absenteeism and the Central Americans struggled to keep the juices flowing. The attacking midfield pivot of Silva, Alcantara, Iniesta and Isco was too hot to handle and succumbed to pressure.

Oscar Ramirez and his side have a huge task at hand if they were to replicate the success of 2014 FIFA, and they clearly need Ruiz and Navas back if they were to even harbour the hopes of it.

#5 Yet more injury worry for Real Madrid as Isco limps off

Isco blow for Real Madrid

After trailing Barcelona by eight points and getting humiliated by a spirited Tottenham Hotspur only very recently, this was the last thing that Real Madrid needed. In what has been a really difficult start to the season, Isco was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise despondent Blancos outfit. But after picking up a knock in the friendly, he faces substantial time out on the sidelines that will only cause more concern for manager Zinedine Zidane.

Midway through the exchanges, Kendall Watson lept into a horrendous tackle on Isco that left the 25-year old in agonising pain, so much so that he himself signalled for a substitution indicating a serious blow.

The bigger blow, however, will be dealt by Real Madrid who will have to make do without their midfield maestro for weeks, or even months. In several tense moments that they've been through this season, the former Malaga man has successfully lifted his side out of the lurch single-handedly. Severely hampered by high-profile injuries coupled with the terrible run of form of both Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Isco was one of their last hopes to get their season on track before its too late.

But watching the same hope squished with his injury, the two-time defending European champions will soon have to find some inspiration elsewhere.