Diego Costa scored the winner as Spain beat Iran 1-0 in their World Cup clash - but should he have been on the pitch? Sportsmail's JAMIE REDKNAPP and GRAHAM POLL had their say on it...

PETE JENSON: ‘Stop asking stupid questions’ Diego Costa told an Iranian journalist last night when he was asked about his ‘provocative’ behaviour in Spain’s win over Iran.

he controversial striker looked to have finally met his as he was given a telling off by captain Sergio Ramos as Fernando Hierro's men geared up for their clash with Morocco on Monday night.

IAN HERBERT AT KALININGRAD STADIUM: It’s going to be a long climb to the top of the world, if Spain are going to get there. But they narrowly avoided facing Uruguay next.

Russia defender Sergei Ignashevich says he is not bothered by potential provocation from World Cup opponents Sergio Ramos and Diego Costa because of the Video Assistant Referee system.

The mood in Fernando Hierro's Spain camp appears to be hugely relaxed ahead of Sunday's last 16 clash with Russia. La Roja were pictured enjoying an evening session in Krasnodar.

Leaning back on a sun-lounger outside his family’s modest Brazilian home last summer, Diego Costa’s mind fleetingly turned to the World Cup.

Spain and Russia go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon as they look to book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Join Sportsmail's ADAM SHERGOLD for the latest.

Spain’s Diego Costa warned coach Fernando Hierro that Koke would miss his spot-kick against Russia according to Spanish television images.

Chelsea plan to 'withhold' part of Antonio Conte's severance package as they feel his infamous text message to Diego Costa damaged his transfer value and cost the club millions.

Diego Costa scored a brace on Wednesday night to drag the match against the Champions League holders to extra-time before Koke and Saul Niguez struck to win the tie for Atletico Madrid.

Salah, who had been so vital in the club's charge to the Champions League final, had his evening cut short in May due to an injury to his shoulder, sustained when Ramos hauled him to the ground.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has withdrawn from the Spain squad for the Nations League matches against England and Croatia, with Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas replacing him.

A Diego Costa-inspired Atletico Madrid came from behind to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start against Monaco.

The 29-year-old scored 52 goals across three Premier League campaigns at Stamford Bridge and was a part of two title-winning squads but he was allegedly deemed surplus to requirements by Conte.

Atletico Madrid's stars were in high spirits as they prepared for the visit of Club Brugge in the Champions League. 

Liverpool's Champions League group was blown wide open by a late Lorenzo Insigne winner for Napoli on Wednesday night. Relive all the action here with Sportsmail's JAMES DUTTON...

The La Liga outfit confirmed the injury news on Friday afternoon ahead of the weekend's action - in which Atletico take on Real Betis on Sunday afternoon.

Wales welcome Spain to the Principality Stadium in a friendly fixture ahead of their UEFA Nations League clash against the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday. Follow all the action here.

Atletico Madrid have edged past Catalan minnows Sant Andreu in the first leg of their Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday evening courtesy of a first-half strike from Gelson Martins. 

Ousmane Dembele came off the bench to rescue a point for Barcelona in their highly-anticipated showdown with Atletico Madrid. Relive all the action with Sportsmail's MAX WINTERS here.

Tempers flared in the second half of Barcelona’s draw with Atletico Madrid and Costa was involved in a pushing and pulling spat with Barca’s Samuel Umtiti.

Diego Simeone's side would be guaranteed a place in the knockout stages of the competition with a victory against Monaco at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: There have been flashes of the beast that Chelsea signed but all too often the dark clouds have rolled in. On the pitch he has lost his edge and off it something is affecting him.

Atletico Madrid have confirmed Diego Costa will have an operation on his left foot in Brazil this week. The surgery will keep him out until February.

Simeone reached the milestone with a 4-0 victory over Spanish minnows Sant Andreu in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey. Under Simeone, Atletico have won seven major trophies.

Diego Costa proved he has lost none of his mischievousness since leaving Chelsea for a return to Spain in 2017 by playing a hilarious prank on his brother.

Diego Costa has stepped up his rehabilitation from a foot injury, with Atletico Madrid hoping to have the striker fit for their Champions League last-16 clash against Juventus on February 20.

Football fans are used to seeing Diego Costa play with a snarl. But this time he let out a wide smile for the camera as he posed for a picture with one of his footballing idols, Ronaldo.

The striker is currently recuperating from surgery on his left foot and is expected to be out until February but that did not prevent him from scheming against team-mate Lucas Hernandez.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa appeared to be enjoying himself as he relaxed after a training session at the club's Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

Sportsmail provide you with everything you need to know for the Champions League kast-16 first leg of Atletico Madrid vs Juventus including kick-off time, date and channel plus squads and odds.

PETE JENSON: Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid ended in a 2-0 defeat that goes a long way to end his dream of winning a sixth Champions League back in the Spanish capital next May.

Away from the main action, there were several talking points which may have slipped under your radar. Don't fear, Sportsmail is here to catch you up on the things you missed...

It looked as though Chelsea fans were really missing Diego Costa after his performance in Atletico Madrid's win over Juventus on Wednesday. Costa re-signed for Atletico in 2018.

A World Cup winner who has played with some of football's biggest talents, Antoine Griezmann was never going to be short of options when it came to choosing his dream five-a-side team.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: There isn’t a single Atletico Madrid supporter who hasn’t dreamed of it: June 1, winning the Champions League in their own stadium, third time lucky.

This was Operation Cristiano Ronaldo in all its glory. Without the Champions League trophy since 1996, Juventus turned to the man who has caused them so much heartache.

KIERAN GILL - THE NUMBERS GAME: Chelsea lost Costa in 2017. Morata could not fill his boots, while Giroud has long been deemed a back-up striker. Now it is Gonzalo Higuain’s turn.

Sergio Ramos attracts both controversy and admiration for his attitude and ability - yet one thing rarely acknowledged is his ability as a goal scorer. He has scored 16 times in all competitions this season.

John Terry has spoken about his future managerial ambitions and also revealed some of the bizarre superstitions he had as a player. He had a variety of unusual quirks.

The visitors battled on despite their numerical disadvantage and did excellently to frustrate Barca for so long. Oblak made nine saves before being beaten by Suarez's fine strike on 86 minutes.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa was sent off for dissent during Saturday's defeat by Barcelona after reportedly aiming a vile insult to the referee regarding his mother.

Gerard Pique was pictured having a word in Diego Costa's ear as he walked towards the tunnel, with some suggesting he was trying to wind-up the Spain striker.

Diego Costa may have played his last game for Atletico Madrid depending on Wednesday's Spanish Football Federation decision on how many games he will be banned for after his red card.

With just seven games left Costa, who was shown a straight red card, will not feature for the remainder of the season and may have played his last game for Atletico Madrid.

Diego Costa has decided not to train with his Atletico Madrid team-mates, despite the club confirming he is not suffering from an injury. He received an eight-game ban for a red card last week.

Diego Costa has been told by Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone that ‘any player who wants to leave, can leave,’ as the controversial striker returned to training.

Atletico Madrid are ready to cut ties with Diego Costa and sell him in the summer transfer window - despite Diego Simeone wanting him to remain at the club.

Carlo Ancelotti is said to be an admirer of the former Chelsea forward and approves of his club's interest in the Spanish international. Costa has endured a tough first full season back at Atletico.