According to Cricket Exchange, tensions finally boiled over late in the match as Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi and Atlético Madrid’s Diego Costa clashed in a fiery altercation that reignited memories of Costa’s infamous antics in the Premier League. The drama unfolded near the final whistle, adding a dramatic twist to what had been a disciplined game dominated by Atlético’s solid defense and ruthless counterattacks.
It all started in the 78th minute when Atlético’s Saúl was penalized for a foul on Granit Xhaka near the attacking third. Antoine Griezmann picked up the ball and casually tossed it behind him. Diego Costa then retrieved it just as Mustafi approached to request the ball. Instead of handing it over, Costa deliberately lobbed it backwards over his own head — a move that instantly struck a nerve.
Mustafi, visibly annoyed, shoved Costa lightly on the back of his head — a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed. Costa, never one to back down from a confrontation, spun around and grabbed Mustafi’s arm, confronting him face-to-face. What followed was a rapid escalation: the two players got tangled up, with some reports suggesting a brief head-to-head clash. Mustafi didn’t stay passive either, pushing Costa again in response.
Several Arsenal players rushed to intervene. Goalkeeper David Ospina quickly pulled Mustafi away from the scene, while Xhaka stepped in to calm Costa. It was a chaotic few moments that nearly spiraled out of control, showcasing the raw emotion bubbling under the surface.
Costa’s reputation for stirring controversy dates back to his Chelsea days, particularly during fiery encounters with Arsenal. One notorious example is when he provoked Gabriel Paulista into a red card, leading to a 2–0 Chelsea victory with Arsenal down to ten men. This time, however, Arsenal players stood their ground and matched Costa’s intensity, though perhaps not in the most productive way.
As soon as the situation threatened to explode, Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi stepped in decisively, issuing yellow cards to both Costa and Mustafi to restore order and bring the focus back to football.
Cricket Exchange reports that while the match itself may have lacked goals for Arsenal, the late-game altercation added a dose of drama — proof that tempers still flare when Diego Costa is on the pitch.