Diego Costa failed to score for Spain on Tuesday night in their 1-0 victory over Macedonia and the Chelsea forward had the added frustration of discovering he will not be able to play in the team's next Euro 2016 qualifying game against Luxembourg.
Costa, 26, started in Skopje and was booked in the first half, which means that on Oct. 9, when Spain face Luxembourg in Logrono, he will be suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
He was unaware his booking would see him miss Spain's last home qualifier until being told by reporters.
"I'm suspended against Luxembourg? It's the first I've heard about it," Costa told AS.
Costa also started in Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Slovakia and, although he did not score, he did earn Spain a penalty which Andres Iniesta converted.
Since making his debut with Spain in March 2014, Costa has found the back of the net just once in nine appearances.
He wants to play as many games as possible for La Roja to strengthen his bid for a starting place in Vicente del Bosque's squad for Euro 2016.
"I've got a lot to improve and I've got to start scoring goals," he said. "There will be no lack of effort on my part.
"I'll keep working hard at my club to improve. I am always filled with ambition whenever I get called for the national team."
The former Atletico Madrid star chose to represent Spain in the build-up to the 2014 World Cup and not his country of birth, Brazil.
Costa scored 20 goals in 26 appearances to help Chelsea win the Premier League title last season but he has not had the same finishing touch with the national team.
Del Bosque replaced Costa with Valencia forward Paco Alcacer in the 61st minute but did not wish to comment on the Chelsea star's latest performance.
In fact, Del Bosque was unimpressed with his team's showing.
When asked about Costa, he said in AS: "We could review how each player has played but it wouldn't be fair because of the low collective and individual level shown by the team.
"I cannot point the finger at anyone, Diego has played the same as the others."
Costa was pleased Spain got the win, even if it was not achieved in impressive fashion -- an own goal by Macedonia goalkeeper Tome Pacovski gave Spain the 1-0 triumph.
"On a personal level I am not happy because I didn't manage to score [against Macedonia] although I'm happy with the victory," he said. "We've gained three points which are important for our qualification."
A victory against Luxembourg next month will see the defending European champions book a place in next year's tournament in France.
Costa will be available for selection when Spain end their qualifying campaign in Kiev against Ukraine on Oct. 12.