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Diego Costa, in true Diego Costa form, scores and gets sent off in La Liga return

Diego Costa scored, but was also sent off, in his first La Liga match back with Atletico Madrid. (Getty)
Diego Costa scored, but was also sent off, in his first La Liga match back with Atletico Madrid. (Getty)

Diego Costa is back where he belongs. He’s back with Atletico Madrid, the club with which he rose to stardom. And he clearly feels at home, because in his first two games since officially signing for his new – old – club, he’s doing very Diego Costa-y things.

Like scoring as a substitute on his debut in the Copa Del Rey.

And like scoring on his full debut in La Liga.

And like getting sent off in one of the silliest ways possible.

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It wasn’t an overly aggressive or dirty tackle. It wasn’t an outburst. Costa side-footed home Atletico Madrid’s second goal of a 2-0 win against Getafe on Saturday. He then hopped over the advertising boards, walked up a few stairs and more or less went right into the stands to celebrate with fans.

Perhaps he forgot he was already on a yellow card. Perhaps he was just overcome by the moment. But surely he knows by now, in his 16th year as a professional footballer, that going into the stands automatically calls for a yellow.

The referee produced the yellow, and Costa was sent off.

Diego Costa celebrates with Atletico Madrid fans after scoring in his first La Liga match back with the Spanish club. (Getty)
Diego Costa celebrates with Atletico Madrid fans after scoring in his first La Liga match back with the Spanish club. (Getty)

He was somewhat fortunate to even be on the field at that point, too. His first half was relatively uneventful, but after the halftime whistle, he had to be separated from a Getafe’s Juan Cala. He was then yellow carded for an elbow to the face of a Getafe defender, and escaped punishment for another elbow minutes later.

But once he had his goal, he could complete his very own version of a double – and maybe even his very unique idea of a dream debut.

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Henry Bushnell covers global soccer, and occasionally other ball games, for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell.