One nil to the Arsenal. It was never going to be enough. Even before Atletico Madrid equalised, there was always the fear Arsenal might not be able to defend such a slender lead in seven days time.

Sportsmail's SAMI MOKBEL watched Arsenal's Europa League semi-final first leg draw against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, and gives his player ratings here...

Diego Costa's reputation as a trouble-maker goes before him from his days at Chelsea. Now that the Spanish striker is back at Atletico Madrid it appears that old habits die hard.

A second-half penalty from Kevin Gameiro was enough for Atletico Madrid to beat a tough Alaves side as Diego Simeone now turns his attention towards their second leg against Arsenal.

Diego Costa appears at the doorway of the Atletico Madrid dressing-room, an hour before kick off. 'Lads,' he announces with a big grin. 'It's Arsenal.'

Atletico Madrid booked their place in the Europa League final after they saw off Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side at the Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday evening. 

MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE WANDA METROPOLITANO: Diego Costa appears at the doorway of the dressing-room before kick off. 'Lads,' he announces with a big grin. 'It's Arsenal.'

SAMI MOKBEL AT THE WANDA METROPOLITANO: Arsene Wenger's hopes of a fairytale finish to his Arsenal tenure came to an end thanks to a close-fought semi-final.

Former Ipswich, Spurs, Manchester United and Scotland forward Brazil — who now works as a radio pundit — claimed that Bellerin would be a much better player if he went back to eating meat.

Diego Costa has hinted at Antoine Griezmann's imminent departure but said the French forward is completely focused on first winning the Europa League with Atletico Madrid.

Sportsmail provide you with information for the Europa League final Marseille vs Atletico Madrid including time, date, location and how to watch plus how both teams made it to the final.

For the two enfant terribles in the recent history of the Premier League, this Europa League final threw up two sorely contrasting evenings.

Premier League stars David De Gea, David Silva and Nacho Monreal are all included in Julen Lopetegui's final 23-man squad along with Barcelona's outgoing midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Costa never crossed paths at Chelsea, but they looked as close as old friends when they bumped into each other in London's West End over the weekend.

Spain are determined to regain the World Cup this summer and Julen Lopetegui's squad seem to be getting on very well as they step up their preparations for the tournament.  

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: A rare error from Manchester United keeper David de Gea meant Spain failed to sign off with a win before they fly to Russia as one of the World Cup favourites.

The World Cup in Russia is just around the corner and all 32 finalists have named who has made the plane and who will be staying at home.

Ramos placed a finger over his lips and struck a provocative pose after finding himself as the subject of criticism following his role in Real Madrid's Champions League win over Liverpool.

Spain stepped up their preparations for opening their World Cup campaign against Portugal in five days' time with a training session in Krasnodar on Sunday.

Pepe, Diego Costa and the Video Assistant Referee, what can go wrong? This pair of unreformed cartoon villians met eight times in La Liga when the defender was at Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck in the dying moments to seal a hat-trick and rescue a 3-3 draw for Portugal against Spain in a stunning Group B contest at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi.

Diego Costa scored the winner as Spain beat Iran 1-0 in their World Cup clash - but should he have been on the pitch? Sportsmail's JAMIE REDKNAPP and GRAHAM POLL had their say on it...

PETE JENSON: ‘Stop asking stupid questions’ Diego Costa told an Iranian journalist last night when he was asked about his ‘provocative’ behaviour in Spain’s win over Iran.

he controversial striker looked to have finally met his as he was given a telling off by captain Sergio Ramos as Fernando Hierro's men geared up for their clash with Morocco on Monday night.

IAN HERBERT AT KALININGRAD STADIUM: It’s going to be a long climb to the top of the world, if Spain are going to get there. But they narrowly avoided facing Uruguay next.

Russia defender Sergei Ignashevich says he is not bothered by potential provocation from World Cup opponents Sergio Ramos and Diego Costa because of the Video Assistant Referee system.

The mood in Fernando Hierro's Spain camp appears to be hugely relaxed ahead of Sunday's last 16 clash with Russia. La Roja were pictured enjoying an evening session in Krasnodar.

Spain will play Russia in the knockout stages of the World Cup 2018 and the last-16 clash is already proving to be controversial. Here is all you need to know about the knockout stage clash.

Leaning back on a sun-lounger outside his family’s modest Brazilian home last summer, Diego Costa’s mind fleetingly turned to the World Cup.

Spain and Russia go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon as they look to book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Join Sportsmail's ADAM SHERGOLD for the latest.

Before kick-off at the Luzhniki, all the talk was about the member of the great Spain side of 2010 who was absent - however it was those that remained ended up under the harsh spotlight.

MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE LUZHNIKI STADIUM: Passed to death. That should be Spain’s epitaph at this World Cup. They tried to pass Russia into oblivion but only extinguished themselves.

Spain’s Diego Costa warned coach Fernando Hierro that Koke would miss his spot-kick against Russia according to Spanish television images.

Chelsea plan to 'withhold' part of Antonio Conte's severance package as they feel his infamous text message to Diego Costa damaged his transfer value and cost the club millions.

Diego Costa scored a brace on Wednesday night to drag the match against the Champions League holders to extra-time before Koke and Saul Niguez struck to win the tie for Atletico Madrid.

Salah, who had been so vital in the club's charge to the Champions League final, had his evening cut short in May due to an injury to his shoulder, sustained when Ramos hauled him to the ground.

Aside from Juventus, United should face easier rides against Valencia and Young Boys, who return to the group stages this year. However Ronaldo's reunion can't be dismissed.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has withdrawn from the Spain squad for the Nations League matches against England and Croatia, with Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas replacing him.

Liverpool had substitute Roberto Firmino to thank for victory in their first Champions League group clash of the season, as he scored in stoppage time. You can relive all the action from Anfield here.

A Diego Costa-inspired Atletico Madrid came from behind to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start against Monaco.

The 29-year-old scored 52 goals across three Premier League campaigns at Stamford Bridge and was a part of two title-winning squads but he was allegedly deemed surplus to requirements by Conte.

Atletico Madrid's stars were in high spirits as they prepared for the visit of Club Brugge in the Champions League. 

Liverpool's Champions League group was blown wide open by a late Lorenzo Insigne winner for Napoli on Wednesday night. Relive all the action here with Sportsmail's JAMES DUTTON...

The La Liga outfit confirmed the injury news on Friday afternoon ahead of the weekend's action - in which Atletico take on Real Betis on Sunday afternoon.

Wales welcome Spain to the Principality Stadium in a friendly fixture ahead of their UEFA Nations League clash against the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday. Follow all the action here.

Atletico Madrid have edged past Catalan minnows Sant Andreu in the first leg of their Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday evening courtesy of a first-half strike from Gelson Martins. 

Ousmane Dembele came off the bench to rescue a point for Barcelona in their highly-anticipated showdown with Atletico Madrid. Relive all the action with Sportsmail's MAX WINTERS here.

Tempers flared in the second half of Barcelona’s draw with Atletico Madrid and Costa was involved in a pushing and pulling spat with Barca’s Samuel Umtiti.

Diego Simeone's side would be guaranteed a place in the knockout stages of the competition with a victory against Monaco at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: There have been flashes of the beast that Chelsea signed but all too often the dark clouds have rolled in. On the pitch he has lost his edge and off it something is affecting him.