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.
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Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos reacts after one of Atletico's seven goals. AFP -
Atletico had plenty to celebrate. AFP -
Diego Costa, left, collides with Real Madrid's Eden Hazard. EPA -
The match proved feisty as players clashed in the second half. Reuters -
Atletico Madrid's manager Diego Simeone on the touchline. EPA -
Atletico celebrate their seventh goal against Real. AFP -
Gareth Bale came on as a second-half substitute for Real Madrid. Reuters -
Diego Costa, centre, is congratulated on one of his four goals for Real. Reuters -
Diego Costa scored a first-half hat-trick for Real Madrid. Reuters -
It was a tough night for Real Madrid's manager Zinedine Zidane. AFP -
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale looks to make a break. AFP -
It was a tough night for Real Madrid fans in New Jersey. AFP -
It was a shocking night for Real Madrid as they were crushed by their city rivals. AP Photo -
Atletico Madrid's Thomas Lemar reacts after being injured as teammates fight with Real Madrid players. AP Photo -
Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa scores his first of four goals against Real Madrid. AFP
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.
