World Cup 2018: 3 key battles that decided Portugal versus Spain

Portugal v Spain : Group B  - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Spain were thwarted by individual brilliance from Ronaldo

#2 Diego Costa vs Pepe

FBL-WC-2018-MATCH3-POR-ESP
Costa was a handful for the Portuguese defense, as he should be.

With two players who have the tendency to incite and enjoy the madness they create on the field, it was always going to be entertaining. It was, and Diego Costa will be glad to say that he takes this round.

His first goal was a typical Costa goal, where he out-muscled three defenders (Pepe being the first of them) and found the tiniest of gaps to equalise.

The second was a typical Atletico Madrid goal - a set-piece flicked onto the edge of the box, and then redirected into the path of the striker to tap the ball in.

Costa showed that he is capable of combining well with his midfield, as he often sent the ball back to Isco and Silva when there was a dead end. Costa was also heavily involved in defending, as he dropped deep to defend throws and crosses.

Pepe as expected struggled a bit against the superior pace of the Spanish players and their quick one-twos in the box.

While it will not be a problem against Morocco or Iran, how the team will deal with it when they play the bigger teams further into the tournament remains a cause for concern.

Costa vs Pepe - stats
Costa vs Pepe - stats
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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.