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Sports / Football

Costa replaced by Aspas in Spain squad

Published: 03 Sep 2018 - 03:51 pm | Last Updated: 04 Nov 2021 - 10:47 pm
Spain's Iago Aspas misses a penalty during the shootout REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo

Spain's Iago Aspas misses a penalty during the shootout REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo

AFP

Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa has withdrawn from the Spain squad ahead of their upcoming games against England and Croatia, the national team announced on Monday.
Costa has pulled out for "family reasons" and will be replaced by Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas, who had been a surprise omission from Luis Enrique's first selection as manager.
Aspas scored for Celta in a 2-0 win over Atletico on Saturday and will now compete with Chelsea's Alvaro Morata and Rodrigo Moreno of Valencia up front.
Spain play England at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday before hosting Croatia in Elche three days later.