Costa brace as Atletico beats Celta
Print Edition
Diego Costa took his La Liga goal tally to 10 this season despite missing a penalty as Atletico Madrid kept pace with Barcelona at the top of the table with a workmanlike 2-1 win over Celta Vigo yesterday.
Unbeaten Atletico is level on 24 points with Barcelona, which beat Real Valladolid 4-1 on Saturday, five points ahead of Real Madrid, a 3-2 winner at Levante thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Costa, who netted both Atletico’s goals, has now overtaken Barcelona’s Lionel Messi as the league’s top scorer although forward’s 26th-minute penalty ended in a save from visiting ‘keeper Yoel Rodriguez.
Costa made amends when he tapped in a low cross from Felipe in the 42nd and he added a second goal just past the hour after keeping possession against David Costas and drilling the ball under Yoel.
Costa was born in Brazil but holds a Spanish passport, and his latest performance will surely give Spain coach Vicente del Bosque even more reason to stick to his plan of calling him up to join the world champion for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“Diego Costa is our main weapon up front,” said Atletico midfielder Mario Suarez. “He helps us in various ways and is also scoring lots of goals.”
Celta offered little in attack until late in the second half. Nolito scored with its first shot on goal in the 71st and the visitors then mounted a furious bid for the equalizer. Nolito nearly levelled in the 92nd with a shot heading for just underneath the crossbar that Thibault Courtois stretched to knock away.
Later, Valencia visits Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla hosts Almeria, and Real Betis plays at Getafe.
Both Atletico and Barcelona can match Real’s record start of nine straight wins to start the season in 1968 in the next round of matches.
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