Diego Costa fires Atletico Madrid to Europa League final against Arsenal

Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa scored late in the first half as Atletico Madrid beat Arsenal 2-1 on aggregate

Diego Costa scored in the extra time of the first half as Atletico Madrid beat Arsenal at the Metropolitano stadium to secure his side’s passage to the final of the Europa League.

This means manager Arsene Wenger will not be given a last chance to lift silverware with Arsenal as he ends his almost 22-year reign with the Gunners.

Antoine Griezmann slipped the crucial pass through to Costa after coming close with a powerful strike from a tight angle.

Arsenal were crestfallen going into the break but almost responded within minutes of the restart when Aaron Ramsey found himself through on goal.

READ: Match Facts: Why Arsenal will reach Europa League final

His touch let him down and the chance was wasted – as were a number of opportunities for the visitors throughout the second half.

Two-time champions Atletico will now face Marseille in their third Europa League final in eight years in Lyon on 16 May.

Defeat for Arsenal means they will miss out on Champions League football for the second straight season.

Wenger, who will leave the Gunners at the end of the season after 22 years in charge, has never won a European trophy with the club.