Diego Costa came back to haunt Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal one last time as he scored the only goal to fire Atletico Madrid to the Europa League Final.
As in the first leg, where Atletico snatched a 1-1 draw at the Emirates, the Gunners put in a hugely creditable performance but one clumsy error – this time from Hector Bellerin – cost them dearly.
Not since January 20 had Diego Simeone’s side conceded at their home ground and for all Arsenal’s pushing and probing that rarely looked like changing, particularly as they were unable to replicate the explosive start that so spooked Atletico last week.
Indeed they found themselves on the back foot early on and could have been a goal down when Costa outmuscled first Laurent Koscielny and then Nacho Monreal before firing wide when Antoine Griezmann was square and waiting to tap home.
Wenger didn’t have to wait long to discover why Koscielny had so tamely allowed Costa through.
Arsenal’s on-field captain went down after only nine minutes with no-one around him, pounding the turf after he tore the Achilles he has been nursing on a daily basis for nearly four years. He will miss the World Cup.
Where Atletico’s defence exuded authority Arsenal’s couldn’t help but shoot itself in the foot. A period of sustained pressure at the end of the half began when David Ospina needlessly punted the ball out for a throw-in.
It ended with Costa’s fourth goal in seven games against the Gunners, seconds before the interval.
Antoine Griezmann’s through-ball was expertly delivered but Hector Bellerin’s poor positioning gave Costa space to dart into.
He held off the recovery challenge of the right back before lifting the ball over Ospina, who had gone down far too early.
