Diego Costa scores controversial goal to clinch top-four spot for Atletico

There was a lot of controversy as Atletico Madrid secured a narrow 1-0 win over Real Betis on Saturday night. Los Rojiblancos already had to play with ten men for more than 30 minutes. Mario Hermoso got a straight red card for a foul on Loren Moron in the second half. There was further controversy when Diego Costa broke the deadlock in the 74th minute. Betis defender Marc Bartra played the forward onside but […]
2020-07-12 13:31:14

There was a lot of controversy as Atletico Madrid secured a narrow 1-0 win over Real Betis on Saturday night.

Los Rojiblancos already had to play with ten men for more than 30 minutesMario Hermoso got a straight red card for a foul on Loren Moron in the second half.

There was further controversy when Diego Costa broke the deadlock in the 74th minute.

Betis defender Marc Bartra played the forward onside but a lengthy VAR check was needed. It looked like the Atleti striker had used his arm in the process of scoring.

The replays couldn’t exactly solve anything and Costa saw his goal allowed to stand. The Real Betis camp were furious with the decision as that lone goal went on to decide the game.

After the game, the Atletico man explained the ball didn’t touch his hands at all.

"It would be one thing if they called it offside for my goal but it didn’t come off my arm. I’m very clear it wasn’t [handball] and I’m happy," Costa said.

"It was a difficult game after Mario’s red card. Our goal was to finish in the top four. Now we have that and we’ve got two more games we have to try to win to continue our good form.

The win took Atletico Madrid to 66 points in the La Liga standings and guaranteed them a top-four finish.

For Diego Costa, it has not been his most prolific of seasons so far. It was only his fifth goal of the season in all competitions in over 1500 minutes of football.