Buenos Aires, Sep 8: There was no stopping the Spaniards at the FIFA World Cup 2010 while the Argentines crashed out in the quarterfinals. However, in a friendly match here on Tuesday, Sep 8, the scene was completely different as Argentina squashed the world champs 4-1.

Dishing out an exhibition defeat to Spain, Lionel Messi (10th minute), Gonzalo Higuain (13th minute) and Carlos Tevez (34th minute) scored first-half goals as Argentina tries to rebuild itself after the World Cup debacle.

Tevez's brilliant performance justified the decision of coach Sergio Batista, who took over after the legendary Diego Maradona was let go after the Argentina's crushing 4-0 fall to Germany in the WC, to field him in a three-man strike force.

Spain's defeat to a certain extent has been attributed to the shaky defence of Pepe Reina, who took the place of 2010 Golden Glove winner Iker Casillas.

Spain got a relief from a huge goal gap in the 84th minute when Fernando Llorente drilled the ball home, while Sergio Aguero struck for Argentina seconds into second-half injury time to wrap up the match 4-1.

The 4-1 defeat for Spain comes as a first after their defeat at Germany in Aug 2000.

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