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 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 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.''
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