Luxembourg vs. Spain: Score, Grades and Reaction from Euro 2016 Qualifier

Diego Costa scored his first goal for Spain as La Roja defeated overmatched Luxembourg, 4-0, on Sunday evening in a Euro 2016 Group C qualifier.

Costa, who has scored nine Premier League goals already this season for Chelsea, had struggled for his adopted national side, failing to score in any of his first six appearances. His seventh started in much the same fashion, with Costa wasting multiple chances in the first half, including a glaring miss midway through the first half.

But with Spain leading, 2-0, in the second half, Costa reacted quickest to fire in from close range after Luxembourg failed to clear their lines. David Silva and Paco Alcacer had one goal apiece in the first half, while Juan Bernat rounded out the second-half scoring for Spain, who bounced back from a loss to Slovakia in their previous match.

With the win, Spain moved on to six points from three Group C matches, three behind Slovakia, who won again Sunday. The defending European champions will have been hoping for a maximum nine points at this phase, but with the top two teams qualifying directly for the Euro 2016 finals, La Roja still stand in good position.

Up next for Vicente del Bosque's side is a home match against Belarus on Nov. 15. Following a break through the winter, Spain will host Ukraine—who currently have six points as well—in a potentially crucial match next March.

Del Bosque shuffled his side following last week's loss, with David de Gea starting in goal ahead of veteran Iker Casillas, who was relegated to the bench following an error against Slovakia. Meanwhile, Marc Bartra made his first start for Spain at centre-back alongside Barcelona team-mate Gerard Pique, with Dani Carvajal slotting in at full-back.

As expected, Spain dominated possession from the opening whistle, passing over every bit of Luxembourg's narrow, wet pitch. The visitors recorded their first shot on target in the 12th minute as Costa forced Jonathan Joubert to save with a low header. 

Yves Logghe/Associated Press

Several chances followed, though Spain would have to wait for the opening goal. Andres Iniesta curled a shot off target in the 15th minute, three minutes before Costa fizzed a cross-shot just wide with Alcacer lurking dangerously.

Costa then powered a volley off target from a tight angle in the 21st minute and forced a save three minutes later with a powerful effort from the edge of the box.

But even after all the near-misses, it seemed only a matter of time before Spain made the breakthrough. And in the 27th minute, Silva obliged with a fine individual effort.

The Manchester City man created the chance for himself, pulling down an attempted clearance with an expert touch. Silva then allowed the ball to bounce before smashing an unstoppable shot past Joubert from the edge of the box.

Spain goalkeeper David de Gea was called into action in the 30th minute, saving comfortably from Stefano Bensi. One minute later, Costa was guilty of a glaring miss, flicking wildly off target with only the goalkeeper to beat.

De Gea had to be alert again in the 38th minute to tip over Daniel da Mota's chip that looked like it would creep into the goal under the crossbar.

Spain's second goal arrived in the 42nd minute. Dani Carvajal started the sequence with an angled pass to Silva on the right. Silva pulled back for Alcacer, who finished powerful past Joubert for a 2-0 half-time lead.

Yves Logghe/Associated Press

The first chance of the second half fell to Iniesta in the 51st minute. Receiving the ball along the edge of the box, Iniesta cut to his right before firing well off target.

At the other end, Luxembourg created a half-chance on a set piece as Maxine Chanot volleyed wide from a corner.

Costa finally found the net in the 69th minute, smashing in from close range after Luxembourg failed to clear a free-kick in their own box.

With a 3-0 lead, del Bosque started making substitutions, introducing Pedro and Bernat for Silva and Iniesta, respectively. Costa then made way for Rodrigo in the 82nd minute, earning a deserved rest with the job done.

There was still time for another goal, though, as Spain hit Luxembourg on the counter after the hosts had piled forward in search of a consolation goal. 

Rodrigo played the role of provider, slotting a brilliant reverse pass to Bernat inside the box. Holding off a defender on the right, Bernat finished impressively with the outside of his left foot for Spain's fourth and final goal.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
David de Gea	7.3
Jordi Alba	7.0
Gerard Pique	6.7
Marc Bartra	7.8
Dani Carvajal	7.2
Sergio Busquets	8.1
Koke	7.5
Andres Iniesta	7.1
David Silva	8.3
Diego Costa	7.8
Paco Alcacer	7.8
Pedro (for Silva, 70')	6.4
Juan Bernat (for Iniesta, 70')	7.2
Rodrigo (for Costa, 82')	7.2

Post-Match Reaction

Spain striker Diego Costa, per Diario AS, via Football Espana:

"

It was bothering me a lot that I wasn’t able to score It bothered be a lot and on top of that, the team had lost. But this gives me a new life. I didn’t know how I was going to score. It was from a dead ball and I only had to hit it. I have to be thankful for the support of the coach. Every game, he gave me another chance.

"

Spain goalkeeper David de Gea, per Diario AS, via Football Espana:

"

I felt very comfortable with the team. It’s an important victory. Gradually you gain confidence and with the encouragement I get, it’s easier.

The coach decides who plays. I always come with all the enthusiasm I have to help the team. Iker has congratulated me. I was very happy for Diego Costa. It’s important for him to get that thorn out his side.

"