Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/997322
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 JUNE 2018 30 SPORTS WORLD CUP Spain count on more Costa goals to secure top spot SPAIN will be looking for their unlikely new World Cup fig- urehead Diego Costa to strike again against already eliminat- ed Morocco tomorrow as they bid to outscore Portugal and grab top spot in Group B. A draw in Kaliningrad would guarantee the 2010 winners safe passage into the last 16 but to be assured of winning the group they need to win a scoring contest with Portugal, who play Iran at the same time. If the two European sides win by the same scoreline, top spot will be determined by who has the cleaner disci- plinary record, with Spain currently on one yellow card to Portugal's two. Iran, however, would reach the last 16 if they sprang a surprise by beating the Euro- pean champions. Costa has scored three of Spain's four goals in Russia, emerging as a surprise talis- man after the sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui threatened to throw their campaign into chaos. Brazilian-born Costa had flopped at the 2014 World Cup after switching loyalties to Spain, failing to have a sin- gle shot in two games as the holders were dumped out. He was left out of the Euro 2016 squad and his return had been a constant sub- ject of debate in Spain, with leading newspaper El Pais questioning his suitability in a team which prioritises pos- session. Costa got off to a flying start in the opening game against Portugal, scoring the first equaliser in the 3-3 epic with an emphatic demonstration of his power and skill before also showing bravery to dive in and score the second. Against the combative and defensively dogged Iran, he broke the deadlock with the scrappiest of goals to give Spain a vital victory. "He has understood that here he doesn't have to touch the ball very much and he has focused on shooting," said Spain midielder Koke, praising his Atletico Madrid teammate for finally finding his role in the Spain team. "Instead he stands out for his fighting spirit. He is most comfortable when he is bat- tling with defenders. That's his speciality." Costa will be on the lookout for more goals against Mo- rocco, who are heading home after losing 1-0 to both Iran and Portugal. Still, though, it is unclear if winning the group would hand them an easier game in the next round. If Spain qualify, they will meet either rampant hosts Russia or Uru- guay, who will battle to top Group A. Diego Costa celebrates scoring their first goal with Isco Nerves creeping in as Portugal prepare for decider - Dias DEFENDER Ruben Dias feels there is some anxiety in Portu- gal's World Cup camp as they look to live up to expectations at the tournament as European champions. Portugal have muddled through their opening two matches in Russia thanks to the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose four goals have helped them collect four points, after a 3-3 draw against Iberian rivals Spain and an edgy 1-0 win over Morocco. Against Spain, Portugal had only 39 percent possession, yet managed a draw thanks to Ronaldo's hat-trick, while against Morocco, they struck early and then clung on for dear life at the end. That has left them needing one point on Monday against Iran, a team led by former Por- tugal coach Carlos Queiroz, to secure their spot in the last 16. Dias said there were some nerves ahead of their final group match, with the team having failed to hit top gear as yet in Russia. "Anxiety exists because it's a World Cup and we are European champions and we want to get through the group and go as far as possible," Dias told a news conference at the Portugal training base. "But it's all relative. We have really good players and we all have the same objective. Sometimes things don't work out the way you want... but it's a World Cup." Portugal's cagey perfor- mances bear a striking similar- ity to Euro 2016, when they triumphed after scraping through the group stage with- out winning a match and then won every single knockout game having less possession than their opponents. Dias, however, said they were warming to the task and performances should improve as the tournament in Russia wears on. "Sometimes, things aren't so good at the start and you start improving during the competition and gaining in confidence," the Benfica de- fender said. "This is natural... You start gaining confidence naturally."