Diego Costa s bid to feature in the FIFA World Cup will go down to the wire, according to specialist doctor Pedro Guillen.
Costa has battled a hamstring injury in recent weeks and was moved to tears after being forced off in the first 15 minutes of Atletico Madrid s 1-1 draw at Barcelona earlier this month, a game which saw Diego Simeone s side claim their first La Liga title since 1996.
The forward travelled to Serbia for specialist treatment on the injury in the build-up to Saturday s UEFA Champions League final against city rivals Real Madrid and was surprisingly declared fit to start.
History repeated, though, as Costa lasted less than 10 minutes before limping off in Lisbon, with Real ultimately going on to record a 4-1 triumph after extra time.
The 25-year-…
Christian Benteke coolly converted a penalty deep into stoppage time as Liverpool came from behind with 10 men to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Palace were on course for a first Premier League triumph in 12 attempts and their fourth in succession over Liverpool when recalled midfield Joe Ledley fired in his first goal of the season in the 48th minute and James Milner left the visitors needlessly depleted when he collected a second booking after the hour.
Nevertheless, Jurgen Klopp s team retained attacking intent that was rewarded when Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy lost his footing while making a 72nd-minute clearance to leave Roberto Firmino to slot home his eighth Premier League goal of the season.
McCarthy, only playing because of an injury to re…