Costa unhappy with press after Spain's 2-0 win over Belgium

Spain striker Diego Costa played his part in the national football side's 2-0 win away over Belgium, but then criticised the treatment he has received at the hands of the press.

The Brazilian born striker has long been a controversial player due to his aggressive and provocative style of play and although he was picked for the 2014 World Cup, he was well below his best form, reports Xinhua.

His injury problems with Chelsea last season also saw former chief coach Vicente del Bosque leave him out of the squad for this summer's European Championship

Costa has enjoyed a positive start to the campaign with Chelsea and that led new Spain boss Julen Lopetegui to include him in his debut as Spain coach. The coach was on Thursday night rewarded when Costa produced a good display after replacing injured Alvaro Morata and helped force the penalty which saw David Silva score his second of the night in a 2-0 win in Belgium.

Costa spoke to Spanish TV after the game and made it clear he was unhappy with some things that had been written about him.

"Sometimes I get a lot of criticism," said Costa. "If I played for Madrid or Barcelona and had been born in Spain, people would say I had played a good game, maybe better than anyone else," he commented.

"I know at times I cause problems, but other times people raise a storm for very little. I just want people to recognize it when I do things well," he commented.

Despite admitting he is at fault for many questions, Costa said he was not going to change his style.

"I get criticised for my character, but I also have quality. I am not going to change even if they criticise me. At times I make mistakes, but everyone has their moments," he insisted.

--IANS

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