Diego Costa is in favour with Spain’s national team again after a couple of terrific displays – and nobody is happier than the country’s other premier striker, Alvaro Morata.

Since coming on for Morata after the Real Madrid forward picked up a knock in Spain’s 2-0 win over Belgium in Brussels last week, Costa has done nothing but impress new coach Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui, who recalled Costa after he was omitted from Spain’s Euro 2016 squad, was delighted to see the Chelsea striker score twice in the 8-0 demolition of Liechtenstein in Monday’s World Cup qualifier.

Costa scored just one goal in 10 appearances for the national team when Vicente del Bosque was coach.

“The more competition there is, the better it is for Spain and for our football,” Morata, who impressed at Euro 2016 and also scored twice against Liechtenstein, said.

“We have to continue like this. We have reason to believe in our national team.”

Lopetegui elected to start Costa in Monday’s World Cup group qualifier and then bring Morata on as a substitute.

While Del Bosque’s Spain usually played without a clear forward, Lopetegui has shown quickly that he will start with at least one and has demonstrated faith in Costa.

The Chelsea forward, who has had a bright start to the English Premier League season, had not scored for Spain since October 2014 before his brace against Liechtenstein.