Spain 2-0 Slovakia: Four things we learnt as La Furia Roja exact revenge

Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta scored in the first half to give Spain the 2-0 win top Group C in the Euro 2016 qualifiersSpain took a giant step towards next year’s Euro showpiece in France as they beat Slovakia with two unanswered goals in Oviedo. Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta were on target to fire La Roja back to the top of group C.Having ended up on the losing side in the reverse back in October, the defending European champions had all but revenge in their minds and got just that when the Barcelona duo struck in the first-half and put the tie effectively to bed. Spain now sit atop their group on goal difference and will attempt to get the job done by conquering Skopje on Tuesday as they play the hosts Macedonia. Here are some of the things we learnt as Vincente del Bosque’s side suffocated the visiting Slovakia side.

#1 Diego Costa continues to disappoint in Spanish colours

Diego Costa is yet to impress for Spain

Since switching allegiance to Spain from Brazil last year, striker Diego Costa has had a stinker whenever he has donned the red kit. A prolific scorer for his club sides, the Chelsea hitman has somehow always failed to replicate his imperious scoring prowess for his adopted country and the disappointment continued for him last night as well.

The 28-year-old did not have any attempts on goal and the threat he posed to the visiting defence was few and far between. Costa was clearly gasping for life in the attacking third and his only substantial contribution to the game was the penalty that he won, just as he did in the game against Netherlands in the World Cup last year.

He was finally put out of his misery mid-way in the second half when he was subbed in favour of Paco Alcacer. Costa’s inability to get on the scoresheet last night means that the former Atletico Madrid target man has now accrued just one strike in his Spanish career that is now nine caps old. 

A really worrying stat for him.