Spain hammering Croatia 6-0 has given Marco Asensio the 'feel-good factor'

On target: Asensio scored and had a hand in four other goals as Spain routed Croatia
AFP/Getty Images
Standard Sport12 September 2018

Marco Asensio says Spain have got their "feel-good factor" back after hammering Croatia 6-0 to go six points clear at the top of England's Uefa Nations League group.

The Real Madrid star scored with a cracking first-half strike and had a hand in four other goals as La Roja turned on the style to rout the World Cup finalists.

Croatia were below strength but still included six of those who started the World Cup final, including Asensio's Madrid team mate Luka Modric and Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic.

The result capped a brilliant start to life under new boss Luis Enrique, following the 2-1 win over England at Wembley on Saturday.

Spain disappointed at the World Cup, playing a ponderous, impotent brand of football before exiting at the last 16, but Asensio praised Enrique for letting his players off the leash, with youngsters like Asensio, Dani Ceballos and Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez all impressing.

"It's nice to play like this with these lads," Asensio said, after a man-of-the-match display.

“We needed to get back our feel-good factor and we had two great games. We’ve played against teams who did very well at the World Cup. We took it as a challenge.

“We had a great game and I think we had an international break that was very good in every way."

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