Those left bored by England’s drab start to the European Under-21 Championship in Poland will have been left thrilled as tournament favourites Spain started with a 5-0 rout of Macedonia.

And few thrilled more than La Roja’s ace in the pack, Real Madrid's brightest young star, Marco Asensio.

The young Spaniard’s rise has so thrilled Zinedine Zidane at the Santiago Bernabeu that he has usurped James Rodriguez in the Spanish capital.

Such has been the extent of their differing fortunes over the last nine months or so, Colombian playmaker Rodriguez is now surplus to requirements despite being a Florentino Perez signing; Rodriguez is being shown the exit door this summer, having not even made the bench in the Champions League final.

Asensio made the most of that opportunity, scoring Los Blancos’ fourth in the 4-1 win over Juventus in Cardiff. Scarcely six weeks earlier, he had proven pivotal in the quarter-final victory over German champions Bayern Munich.

Macedonia struggled to get close to Asensio (
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AFP/Getty Images)

In his debut season at Los Blancos - having spent the 18 months since signing for a meagre €3.9million (Yep, seriously) on loan at first former club Mallorca and then Espanyol - Asensio grew into his role, eventually finishing the season with 38 appearances (1,918 minutes) under his belt and 10 goals to his name; he struck their first of the season in the European Super Cup win over Sevilla, and the last in Cardiff.

The season, as a whole, has been his coming out party to a global audience. Having initially left Zidane enthused with both his talent and his willingness to learn and work for his place, he has gone on to show his class time and again; the ability to glide past opponents, to create, to pass, to move, to perform with an intelligence that belies his young years.

Asensio scoring in the Champions League final (
Image:
REUTERS)
It's been some season for the young Spaniard (
Image:
REUTERS)

The question coming into the Under-21s tournament was whether he could be the star. Among Madrid’s Galacticos he has flickered brightly. But in a sea featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Isco et al, he has been one of many.

But while La Roja’s youngsters are unquestionably talented, in Poland the question was whether he could come to the fore, with his talent, and be the standout.

At both Mallorca and Espanyol, he had done so. Now, the Islander has shown he’s ready to ascend in similar fashion for Albert Celades’ juniors.

Against a plucky Macedonia side just happy to be at the finals, Asensio grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and showed why he is now the technical leader of this side.

Asensio avoids another Macedonia defender (
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AFP/Getty Images)
Asensio fires home his first (
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AFP/Getty Images)

The 21-year-old scored a 25-yard stunner to put Spain 2-0 up after 16 minutes, picking out the top corner with unerring accuracy, his wicked effort leaving the Macedonia stopper, Igor Aleksovski, to just stand and admire along with the rest of those in attendance.

The more Spain took charge, the more he dictated proceedings with clever passes between defenders, impudent touches around opponents, intelligent moves off the front to find space between the lines.

He bagged his second (Spain’s fourth) nine minutes into the second period, a deflected effort flying into the corner, before saving his piece de resistance for last: picking up the ball in his own half, driving forwards before unleashing a fierce effort into the top corner.

Asensio pointed the way throughout (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

It’s little wonder that Real Madrid this week handed him a new contract until 2023, featuring a £308million release clause.

After his opening super-show, the Spain No.11 is favourite to follow compatriots Juan Mata (2011) and Thiago Alcantara (2013) in winning the Golden Player award at the competition. Certainly there are stiffer tests to come, notably Portugal in their final group fixture.

But such was the magnificence of his Macedonian mauling, it already looks to be Marco Asensio’s tournament.

In Madrid, they won’t have been surprised.