Diego Costa doubles up to show different side to Spain in their draw against Portugal at World Cup 2018

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  • Diego Costa produced the perfect retort to cries that his physical play does not befit the Spain jersey, striking twice during an electric 3-3 draw with Portugal as their World Cup 2018 campaign got under way in gripping fashion.

    Only the superhuman efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo could deny the Atletico Madrid colossus a winning performance in Group B.

    Here, we analyse his display:

    STATISTICS 

    Goals – 2

    Assists – 0

    Shots – 3

    Shots on target – 2

    Touches – 29

    Passes – 18

    Key passes – 0

    Dribbles – 2

    Dispossessed – 0

    30-SECOND REPORT

    Costa’s raw edge was favoured by new head coach Fernando Hierro.

    This faith was rewarded when he became a human battering ram versus old Real Madrid rival Pepe and then expertly found the bottom corner to make it 1-1 with a first-ever shot at the World Cup.

    After the break, his predatory instincts allowed him to tap-in Sergio Busquets’ header. This made it 2-2 and completed an atypical La Roja brace.

    GOT RIGHT

    TAKE YOUR CHANCES: Opportunities usually come in quick succession when you lead the attack for Spain. The key is to make them count.

    A return of two goals from three attempts is exemplary. Valencia’s Rodrigo and Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas boast more refined qualities, but you would not back either to produce such figures.

    PROVE THE DOUBTERS WRONG: Costa is meant to be too brutish to play striker for Spain, his over-reliance on brawn over brains making him an incongruous presence.

    Yet at Fisht Stadium, a sterling exhibition of centre-forward play was put on. The Atleti powerhouse’s pass accuracy of 88.9 per cent was greater than Manchester City magician David Silva’s 85.7 per cent, plus he was not dispossessed once.

    KEY MOMENTS

    24th min GOAL: Did what no other Spain striking option could do and knocked Besiktas warrior Pepe clean off his feet – with the officials declining to refer to VAR. Then held off several challenges and rasped an unstoppable effort low into the bottom corner.

    35th min CHANCE: Tried to follow-up Real Madrid playmaker Isco’s sensational shot that rattled the crossbar, but was both offside and denied by Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

    55th min GOAL: Was in the right spot to poke home Busquets’ header that came from a lofted David Silva’s free-kick. Utterly un-Spain, totally Costa.

    77th min SUBSTITUTED: His night’s work was done and he trudged off for Aspas.

    VERDICT

    This was everything Hierro could have asked for – and more.

    Costa bullied Pepe and Jose Fonte, a centre-back pairing who were the best at Euro 2016 for the champions. He was then unflinching in front of goal, only snapping at one second-half shot.

    The Brazil-born striker’s presence adds an extra element to the Spanish passing carousel that could prove invaluable during the defining weeks to come.

    RATING: 8/10

    All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com

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