Spain boss Julen Lopetegui warns the rest of the world “Isco’s best is yet to come” after Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Costa Rica.
Isco was taken off midway through the second half at La Rosaleda – his former stomping ground – due to a suspected knock, but Lopetegui was nonetheless delighted with the Real Madrid midfielder’s display.
“I’m happy, but it’s not the best day of my reign here,” the Coach said after the game.
“We’ve scored more in official games. What I’m most happy about is the attitude of the team, regardless of whether it’s an official game or not.
“We played football until the last kick, and that attitude is what can lead us to success. We had a good game.
“The team played a lot of football and had several clear-cut chances. It doesn’t matter who scores our goals.
“Isco? He's established himself among the world elite. He’s consistently performed at the highest level and done so through his quality and mentality.
“Isco’s best is yet to come. He had to be taken off due to a knock from [Madrid’s] game at Girona. We’ll see how it goes.
“An early goal changed the dynamic of the match and made it an uphill battle for our opponents.
“Still, Costa Rica are a very good team and it would’ve been a very different match if it was played in the World Cup.
“5-0 wasn’t the real difference between the two teams. Now we can’t think beyond the next match.
“We must be ambitious and confident, but now’s not the time to think about the World Cup.”
