Four goals and a red card: Diego Costa's wild night as Atletico Madrid thrash Real Madrid 7-3 - in pictures

The former Chelsea player showed the best and worst of his game as Diego Simeone's side won big in their pre-season friendly

Diego Costa scores the first of his four goals as Atletico MadrId beat Real Madrid 7-3. AFP

Costa, face partially hidden, gets involved in a fight with Real Madrid's Dani Caravajal that led to both men being sent off. Reuters

Costa, right, was on target four times in all. EPA

Costa scores from the penalty spot. AFP

Costa, centre, is mobbed by his Atletico Madrid teammates. AFP

Costa celebrates his hat-trick. Reuters

Costa finds the net for a fourth time. EPA

Costa sends Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois the wrong way with his penalty. EPA

Costa, left, falls on top of Real Madrid's Eden Hazard. EPA

Diego Costa had an eventful night for Atletico Madrid on Friday as the best, and worst, traits of his game were on display.

The Spaniard scored four times, including a first-half hat-trick, as Atletico humiliated their city rivals Real 7-3 in their pre-season friendly in the United States.

The striker struck in the first minute, then struck again in the 28th minute to make it 4-0 after Joao Felix and Angel Correa both netted.

He then completed his hat-trick with a penalty on the stroke of half time.

A fourth came six minutes after the interval, and Atletico's sixth, and at that point it had been a superb evening for the 30 year old.

But then he got embroiled in a clash with Real's Dani Carvajal in the 65th minute, with both men seeing red over the incident.

It was a reminder of Costa's ability to find controversy on the pitch. His La Liga season had ended early in April after he had been sent off against Barcelona for verbally abusing a referee.

He subsequently received an eight-game ban for his behaviour and he will miss the opening game of the 2019/20 season due to that suspension.

His future had appeared in doubt at Atletico over his anger at the decision and what he perceived was a lack of support from the club over the punishment.

But, with Antoine Griezmann having departed to Barcelona, and his form on Friday it appears Costa will be an essential part of Simeone's side as they bid to win the title for the first time since 2014.