‘I knew Spain goals would come’

Diego Costa said he always knew he would score again for Spain after netting twice in an 8-0 rout of Liechtenstein in their World Cup qualifying opener on Monday.

The Chelsea striker answered critics following a run of one goal in his 11 previous appearances for Spain by scoring the opener in the 10th minute, heading in former Atletico Madrid teammate Koke's free kick.

"I had struggled because a striker always needs to score goals but now I'm participating more in the play and I knew the goals were going to come," Costa told reporters.

Costa headed in Spain's fifth goal on the rebound after holding off two defenders in the area, leaving the pitch to a raucous reception from the supporters in Leon when he was substituted.

The controversial striker has endured a difficult relationship with Spain fans since switching loyalties from his native Brazil in 2014.

Last week he complained of receiving differential treatment to his teammates because he is not a natural Spaniard.

Costa, however, was all smiles after scoring his first international goals since opening his Spain account against Luxembourg 23 months ago.

"I never complained about my teammates and I have to thank them because they always supported me and never allowed me to give up," Costa added.

"Criticism is normal because Spain players are always asked to give more, but now things are going my way."

Costa helped fire Atletico to the La Liga title in 2014 with 27 goals and that same year was convinced by Vicente del Bosque to switch nationalities, having made two appearances for Brazil in international friendlies.

Following an underwhelming second season with Chelsea and low-key international displays, however, Costa was left out of the squad for Spain's Euro 2016 campaign when the 2010 world champions lost in the last 16.

Costa's decisive appearances for Chelsea at the start of this campaign earned him a recall by Del Bosque's successor Julen Lopetegui.

"Costa is looking good and I'm delighted for him," added Koke, who won the King's Cup and the La Liga title with Costa at Atletico.

"I hope we see the Diego Costa of Atletico and that he keeps delighting us. That would be great for Spain."

Spain, Wales cruise; Kosovo earn draw

Spain began life under new coach Julien Lopetegui in perfect style while Gareth Bale inspired Euro 2016 sensations Wales and Kosovo earned a historic point in World Cup qualifying on Monday.

Lopetegui enjoyed a perfect competitive debut as Diego Costa, David Silva and Alvaro Morata all hit doubles in an 8-0 drubbing of Liechtenstein in Leon.

Over in Cardiff, Real Madrid forward Bale teed up Sam Vokes for a 38th-minute opener and then scored his 23rd and 24th international goals either side of an effort by Joe Allen, who registered his first in a 4-0 crushing of Moldova.

Elsewhere Daryl Murphy's first ever international goal secured the Republic of Ireland a 2-2 draw against Serbia in Belgrade, and 10-man Italy beat Israel 3-1 in Haifa.

But arguably the performance of the night was in Turku where Valon Berisha made history, scoring Kosovo's first goal on their competitive debut as they came from behind to draw 1-1 away to Finland.

The goal gave Kosovo a precious point in qualifying Group I after Paulus Arajuuri had put Finland in front from close range in the 18th minute.

Kosovo were accepted into Fifa in May, and this was a remarkable result given that world football's governing body only gave their approval for a host of players to represent the Balkan outfit earlier on Monday.

Among those given the green light at the last minute were goalkeeper and captain Samir Ujkani, previously capped by Albania, Albert Bunjaku, who featured for Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup, and goal-scorer Berisha, who was playing for Norway as recently as June.

With several thousand Kosovans living in the Turku region, there was a sizeable support for the away side in their first ever competitive outing.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. About 100 countries recognise it as a state now, but major countries like 2018 World Cup hosts Russia do not.

Serbia vehemently opposed Kosovo's admittance to world governing body Fifa, which came soon after Europe's governing body Uefa narrowly approved their membership.

Their World Cup bow comes after their Olympic debut at the Rio Games last month, with Kosovo being accepted by the International Olympic Committee in 2014.

Spain's comprehensive win put them atop Group G ahead of Italy on goal difference.

"We reaped our rewards in the second-half for what we did right in the first-half," said Lopetegui.

"I am happy. They are the first three points and it was important to start well."

Spain and Italy meet in their next qualifier in Turin on October 6.

Chris Coleman's Wales, who lost to eventual champions Portugal at Euro 2016, are seeking to qualify for their first World Cup since 1958.

"We had to get off to a good start in the first game," said Wales manager Coleman.

"It was going to be tough and we had to be patient and disciplined, and we were.

"We had a good level of professionalism and the supporters were great. The players got the ball and could have scored more."

Like Coleman, Ireland's manager Martin O'Neill was satisfied with his team's first steps to Russia.

"I think we fought back magnificently," said the 64-year-old Northern Irishman after Jeff Hendricks had put his side into a three minute lead, with Filip Kostic and a penalty from Southampton's Dusan Tadic putting Serbia in front before Murphy's equaliser.

"It is a good result and we would have taken a point before the game."

In Israel, new Italian manager Giampiero Ventura reflected on his debut win with goals from Graziano Pelle, Antonio Candreva from the penalty spot, and Ciro Immobile, after veteran defender Girgio Chiellini was sent off in the 55th minute for his second yellow card.

He said: "I won’t say our performance was perfect, as we conceded that goal similar to the one we let in against France (in last week's friendly)."

The 68-year-old manager added: "We worked as a team, suffered as a team and won as a team."

'I'll only leave if Simeone goes'

France forward Antoine Griezmann says he would only leave Atletico Madrid if manager Diego Simeone also quit the La Liga club.

Griezmann has flourished under Simeone, scoring over 50 goals since moving to the Vicente Calderon from Real Sociedad in 2014. The 25-year-old extended his contract with Atletico in June despite media reports he might move to Paris St Germain.

Simeone has won the Europa League, King's Cup and La Liga with Atletico. The 46-year-old Argentine also led the club to their second Champions League final in three years.

"The only doubt would be if Simeone leaves for PSG or wherever. I called him before extending my contract and he confirmed to me that he was staying," Griezmann told French TV programme Telefoot.

"I can learn a lot from him. PSG are not my goal at the moment. I'm happy in Spain. I'm always proud to be popular with the fans. I try to smile and do my best. If they like it, it's even better."

Atletico, who have started the new campaign with two points from their opening two games, will look for their first win at Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Manchester derby to be refereed by Mark Clattenburg

Mark Clattenburg will referee the derby between Manchester United and Manchester City on Saturday, live on SuperSports 3 HD

The 41-year-old, who has officiated in the Premier League for more than a decade, completed an unprecedented refereeing hat-trick in top finals last season.

The County Durham-born referee was the man in the middle for the FA Cup, Champions League and European Championship finals.

Clattenburg has also refereed the Manchester derby at Old Trafford for the past two seasons.

United prevailed at home in the 2014/15 campaign with a 4-2 victory on April 12, 2015, while last term's game ended in a goalless draw on October 25, 2015.

Clattenburg's assistants at Old Trafford will be Jake Collin and Steve Bennett while Mike Dean will act as fourth official.

Matt Busby's family moved out of Man Utd directors' box at Old Trafford

Manchester United have moved the grandchildren of former manager Sir Matt Busby out of the directors' box and into another part of Old Trafford.

Busby, the club's second-most decorated manager after Sir Alex Ferguson, and his family have had seats in the directors' box since his retirement in 1969.

Those seats were handed to his children Sandy and Sheena following Busby's death in 1994, and then to his grandchildren following their deaths during the 2014-15 season.

Press Association Sport understands the club made those seats available to them for one more year and then offered six (three apiece) complimentary season tickets in the Warwick Suite of the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand instead.

The Manchester Evening News reported that a plaque bearing the Busby name has also been removed from the directors' box seats, which was met with an angry response from a number of supporters, many of whom signed an online petition to have the plaque reinstated.

Press Association Sport understands the four plates bearing the name Busby have been given to the family at their request. However, it is understood United will have a new plaque made for the seat which Busby sat in, similar to those which were created to mark the achievements of Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Amanda Eustace, one of Busby's granddaughters, told the Manchester Evening News: "My dad always said it was a privilege to have those box tickets.

"We have been extremely grateful to United for what they have given us over the past years. We do still have season tickets, which is absolutely fantastic."

A Manchester United statement said: "The club continues to provide tickets and hospitality for the descendants of Sir Matt but with the passing of his children that hospitality will continue in the Warwick Suite."

Yaya Toure's agent expects Manchester City to lose fans in Africa

The agent of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure expects fans in Africa to support Manchester United in Saturday's derby.

Toure is surplus to requirements at City following the arrival of Pep Guardiola and he was left out of the manager's Champions League squad.

As a result, the Ivory Coast international's representative, Dimitri Seluk believes supporters in the region will switch their alliance.

"They will lose a lot of millions of supporters from Africa because of this decision from Guardiola," Seluk said.

"Now they will support Manchester United. A lot of people in Africa say they will never see any more matches of City on TV."

Toure is in the final year of his contract at City and Seluk claims he is already lining up deals for the 33-year-old ahead of the next transfer window.

"Yaya in January can sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs abroad," Seluk said.

"He will have many offers from clubs. China and America of course they want him but we will have a lot of offers from England and Europe.

"He is in very good shape, very good condition, I think he lost seven kilograms.

"Maybe that's not good enough for Guardiola, but then Zlatan Ibrahimovic wasn't good enough for him (at Barcelona).

"In January we will see. It is three months to wait - no problem. Yaya is a very professional guy."

Lionel Messi could miss Barcelona's Champions League opener against Celtic with injury

Lionel Messi is a doubt for Barcelona's opening Champions League clash against Celtic next week with a groin injury.

Messi aggravated the injury on his return to international football with Argentina last week, where he scored the winner in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

The five-time World Player of the Year was supposed to feature in Argentina's next qualifier against Venezuela on Tuesday but instead returned to Catalonia where he underwent scans over the weekend

Barcelona said in a statement on Monday: "Tests conducted today on Leo Messi have confirmed that they player is still having trouble with the left adductor muscle.

"He has been recommended to lighten his training load over the next few days and his availability will depend on how the issue progresses."

Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza said Messi had gone against the wishes of Barcelona's doctors to make a triumphant return to the national team having dramatically reversed his decision to retire from international football.

Barcelona play Alaves in La Liga this weekend before hosting Celtic in their Group C opener on Tuesday.