Diogo Costa produced a performance of the highest quality for FC Porto this evening.
In a Champions League Group Stage encounter with Bayer Leverkusen, the Portuguese shot stopper showed exactly why Manchester United scouts are so interested in him.
Within just 15 minutes Costa incredibly made key contributions at both ends of the pitch.
An excellent angled through ball out to Wenderson Galeno on the left flank led to Porto’s early opening goal, with the goalkeeper earning himself an assist.
Hardly ten minutes later, he was on hand to benefit his team in a way somewhat more common amongst keepers.
A foul on Mitchel Bakker led to a Leverkusen penalty, which Kerem Demirbay stepped up to take.
He was denied by a strong save from Costa, who managed to keep his team ahead just moments after his telling contribution to the goal that put them there.
The Portugal star showed his class throughout the remaining 75 minutes.
He continually found success in finding Porto’s forward players, completing 17 long balls.
Such positive distribution would be welcomed at Old Trafford, particularly given Costa also knew when to play in short, getting involved with Porto’s build up play with an impressive 54 touches.
Including his penalty heroics, Costa made four saves to secure a clean sheet, providing the foundation for his team’s 3-0 victory and his own man of the match award.
With Diogo Costa in the frame to replace David de Gea as Erik ten Hag’s number one at Old Trafford, performances like tonight’s will certainly stand him in good stead.
(All stats from SofaScore)
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