Sergio Ramos played down Spain’s 6-1 win over Argentina on Tuesday, calling the result “distorted” and pointing out that Spain’s opponents were missing a key man.

“Leo (Messi) is a top, top player, a unique player, and Argentina are inferior without him,” the Spain captain said of his opposite number, who missed the tie with a hamstring complaint.

“Argentina, with Messi, is more powerful.”

Ramos nevertheless enjoyed the result, contrasting it to Spain’s 4-1 loss to Argentina in a 2010 friendly.

“I remember that Argentina scored four against us in River Plate’s stadium. Now we have a positive memory of playing them,” the Real Madrid defender said, though he said the scoreline on Tuesday was “distorted” by a flurry of late goals.