Spain had to work hard for their victory against Group B rivals Iran, but with the help of Isco’s trickery and a Costa strike, they won to go top of the group.
Iran 0-1 Spain: match report
Spain were made to work for their one-goal win at Kazan Arena on Wednesday night against a defensive and determind Iran side, who have eyes on a knockout place in the World Cup themselves.
Fernando Hierro made two changes to the side that drew with Portugal in the first game and stuck with David de Gea after a rare error-strewn game. The keeper was barely needed in the opening half, however, as Spain set up shop in Iran’s half.
Playing with six men at the back, Carlos Quieroz’ side were fighting fires for most of the opening 45 minutes. On the rare occasions when they did break free though, they did look quite dangerous. This became mor prevelant in the second half but the signs were there in the first.
Spain couldn’t find a breakthrough in that opening phase with David Silva going closest with a chilena-themed strike that went over the bar. The tiny amounts of space Silva and Isco were finding were being exploited but nothing to the point were Iran felt truly threatened.
That changed in the second half when Spain came out with added purpose to their attack. Isco was looking increasingly dangerous and influential from the left half-space too. All of their huffing and puffing paid dividends when Diego Costa unwittingly knocked a shot beyond Alireza Beiranvand in Iran’s goal nine minutes into the game.
After that, Iran loosened their shackles and get it a proper go. They had the ball in the back of the net only for VAR to rule out Ezzatollahi’s effort for an offside.Spain looked nervous and when Amiri nutmegged Piqué and swung a cross in, it looked like Mehdi had drawn his side level. His point blank header blazed over the bar thought and Spain survived.
They killed off the game in the end with the fresh legs of Rodrigo, Koke and Asensio proving important in keeping Iran honest and not going for broke. Iran, however, will be buoyed by their display, which was almost flawless.
They play Portugal now and a win will see them through while Spain face an already-eliminated Morocco. Group B has had plenty of twists and turns and we aren’t done yet with one more matchday to play.
