Costa out to build on Spain springboard

Costa out to build on Spain springboard

Diego Costa is hoping for a new lease of life with Spain after finally breaking his scoring duck for the national team.

The Brazil-born striker endured a torrid FIFA World Cup™ in the summer but was able to translate his blistering start to life with Chelsea this season into his first international goal as he helped Spain to a 4-0 win over Luxembourg in the UEFA EURO 2016 qualifiers on Sunday night. "It was pretty annoying not being able to score and it bothered me a lot," Costa told TVE. "Hopefully things will go well now and I can start a new life."

Costa also thanked coach Vicente Del Bosque in the interview for keeping faith in him. "Every game is a new opportunity for me to show who I am, who I can be," he said.

And indeed, in his own post-match press conference, Del Bosque revealed how he had tried to encourage Costa at half-time following an opening 45 minutes in which the former Atletico Madrid man spurned a string of opportunities. Those words of comfort were rewarded in the 69th minute when Costa bagged his first goal in seven appearances for Spain.

"He has really been trying to score the goals to pay us back for the support everyone has given him," Del Bosque said in comments reported by Marca. "He feels comfortable in the group and we must praise his effort. He has worked well with (Paco) Alcacer to get open and create space. At half time I told him not to worry because everything has its way and you will get your rewards."

David Silva had opened the scoring midway through the first half with Alcacer doubling the advantage shortly before the break. After Costa got the third, Juan Bernat capped the night with a late fourth. But despite a comfortable win and the end of Costa's frustrations, Del Bosque was not entirely satisfied at the end of the night. "We like to be more complete in our performance and in the second half we lacked intensity, and some of the football was ugly to watch."