Diego Costa was at the centre of a hotly contested Copa del Rey clash between Atletico and Real Madrid last night, with Portuguese defender Pepe clearing his nose on the striker’s face during Real’s 3-0 win.
Los Blancos came out on top in the first leg of the Spanish Cup semi-final, but the moment of the game came when Pepe took things too far during his match-long tussle with Costa, with the defender emptying the contents of his nose at the Brazilian hit-man.
Diego Costa, who has been strongly linked with a summer move to Chelsea, endured a torrid time against a petulant Real defence, typified by Pepe, who hounded the striker all game long, kicking and tugging him under the radar.
The Portuguese even laughed in the 25-year-old’s face when he was ruled out of the second leg after receiving a yellow card.
Atletico/Real has never been one for the light hearted, as the pair’s bitter rivalry is often violently personified on the pitch, detracting from the quality of the players on show.
The theatrical behaviour of Costa did little to gain sympathy from the watching masses however, but Pepe’s nose-blowing actions have been universally condemned.
Someone tell Pepe & Diego Costa it’s not WWE…
— FutbolBible (@FutbolBible) February 5, 2014
Pepe laughs at Diego Costa after picking a yellow that will prevent him from playing the second leg. pic.twitter.com/Sqm4lDfZlv
— RealEsparta™ ENGLISH (@RealEspartaEN) February 6, 2014
PHOTO: Pepe snot rocketed over Diego Costa in last night’s game. This is vile – even for Sunday League standards. >> http://t.co/iuTwFSKsWs
— Sunday League Footy (@SundayChants) February 6, 2014
Real Madrid fans are moaning about Costa’s manners in the game lastnignt, yet Pepe blew snot on to his face. #Horrid #StopMoaning
— Scott Anderson (@andersonscott98) February 6, 2014
What do you think? Should Pepe be banned? Let me know in the comments below…
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