Costa hits four as Atletico smash Real Madrid 7-3

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atletico de Madrid forward Diego Costa (19) scores his third goal against Real Madrid on a penalty kick during the first half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters) - Diego Costa scored four goals as Real Madrid were embarrassed 7-3 by rivals Atletico Madrid in the final match of their United States tour in New Jersey on Friday.

Real fielded a strong side once again, with new signings Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic starting up front and Gareth Bale again on the bench, but were 5-0 down at the end of a shambolic first half.

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atletico de Madrid forward Diego Costa (19) celebrates his second goal against Real Madrid during the first half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Atletico fielded a host of new arrivals, including club record signing Joao Felix, who immediately caught Real cold on the counter before playing Costa in for his opening goal in the first minute.

The 120 million euro ($133 million) signing Felix got among the goals himself seven minutes later before Angel Correa, an early substitute for the injured Alvaro Morata, shocked Real with a third in the 19th minute.

Saul Niguez capitalised on more slack defending from Real to thread through to Costa who fired in the fourth with just 28 minutes on the clock.

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atletico de Madrid forward Diego Costa (19) dribbles the ball as Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos (4) defends during the first half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Costa capped a disastrous half for Real in stoppage time, winning a penalty before converting from the spot.

The punishment did not stop after the break, as Felix again fed Costa six minutes into the second half before Nacho pulled one back for Real near the hour-mark.

The Costa onslaught ended abruptly, with he and Real's Dani Carvajal both red-carded for fighting, adding further drama to an incredible friendly.

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atletico de Madrid forward Diego Costa (19) celebrates after his third goal against Real Madrid during the first half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Vitolo added a fine seventh for Atletico, before Karim Benzema and Javi Hernandez scored late for Real to avoid what would have been the side's biggest defeat to their city rivals in a competitive match.

Humbled Real head home with no wins from their three games in the U.S.

With Bale's future hanging over the tour which has seen them conceded 12 goals from three games, coach Zinedine Zidane remained defiant after the match, insisting the club are not panicking as the new Spanish league season nears.

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atletico de Madrid forward Diego Costa (19) celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Madrid with defender Kieran Trippier (23) during the first half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

"You don't have to spin it over," Zidane said. "It's a pre-season game. They've been better at everything. There is nothing more to talk about.

"We are preparing a season and being calm. We have to be ready on August 17, with the first league game. For now, we have lacked things for sure tonight."

Atletico coach Diego Simeone said that he saw things in Real's previous games he thought his team could target.

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Real Madrid defender Marcelo Vieira (12) dribbles the ball against Atletico de Madrid midfielder Koke (6) during the second half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

"Having seen Madrid, we looked for where we could harm them," Simeone told reporters. "We tried to find good places at the exit of the ball and we were very precise, that in football it is important.

"We have had a great time here."

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale (11) dribbles the ball against Atletico de Madrid defender Felipe (18) during the second half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Ian Ransom/Amlan Chakraborty)

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric (10) dribbles the ball against Atletico de Madrid midfielder Koke (6) and defender Renan Lodi (12) during the second half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atletico de Madrid forward Joao Felix (7) dribbles the ball against Real Madrid during the first half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 26, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard (50) dribbles the ball against Atletico de Madrid midfielder Koke (6) during the second half of an International Champions Cup soccer series match at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports