Diego Costa said he always knew he would score again for Spain after netting twice in an 8-0 rout of Liechtenstein in their World Cup qualifying opener on Monday.
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Following an underwhelming second season with Chelsea and low-key worldwide displays, however, Costa was left out of the squad for Spain’s Euro 2016 campaign when the 2010 world champions lost in the last 16.
Silva had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside, but still had time to leapfrog Fernando Morientes as the fifth most prolific Spaniard of all-time with a finely struck low effort from the edge of the box. There are reasons to continue believing in this team.
Lopetegui made just two changes to the side that won impressively 2-0 in a friendly away to Belgium on Thursday with Costa and Sergi Roberto replacing Real Madrid pair Morata and Dani Carvajal.
Costa has also scored twice in three appearances for Chelsea this season. “We try to help them, but Diego [Costa] is a great player and showed it”, the coach said.
The Italians took a two-goal lead with just over half an hour gone when Graziano Pelle slotted home in the 14th minute and Antonio Candreva converted a penalty in the 31st. It is hard. We should be happy, regardless of the result, for the goals, the way the team played.
The 2010 world champions led by a solitary goal at the interval before scoring seven times in the second half and Lopetegui felt his players wore out Liechtenstein which resulted in their defensive collapse.
“Of course, attackers are judged on so much more than goals, but we are happy for Diego – and for Alvaro – that he scored two goals”.
Yet, Lopetegui’s new era needs to hit the ground running with a trip to Italy next up in early October and only the group winners guaranteed to qualify.
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Asked about the next big meeting with the Azzurri following Italy’s 2-0 defeat of Spain in the last 16 at Euro 2016, Lopetegui reckoned the team was looking forward to the challenge.
