'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Diego Costa
There is nothing as antithetical to Spanish tiki-taka football than Diego Costa’s first goal against Portugal. Costa received a long ball, then proceeded to manhandle (or foul depending on your perspective) Pepe before outmuscling Jose Fonte to rifle home the equalizer. While Spain’s football usually involves technical excellence, this goal was a victory of brute force. This is perhaps what has made Diego Costa so effective in the World Cup.
Costa’s double against Portugal single-handedly kept Spain in the game as Portuguese manager Fernando Santos’s defensive system almost managed to stymie ‘tiki-taka’. Such a performance against one of the best sides in the tournament is what propels Costa above those who have been feasting on Panama, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. A similar pattern was repeated against Iran where manager Carlos Queiroz has installed one of the best defensive systems in the world (considering the talent at his disposal). Again the more attractive play of Isco, Andres Iniesta and David Silva was nullified only for Costa’s determination to yield a goal (albeit due to a lucky touch). If Costa can continue his form, then perhaps Spain can live up to their status as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Trending
