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Spain defeat determined Iran to move closer to knockout rounds
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
20th June, 2018
6
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Spain's Isco celebrates. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
20th June, 2018
6

Spain secured three points in Kazan in predictable style, although the scoreline tonight underlines Iran’s impressive defensive effort.

Click here to re-live The Roar’s live blog.

A solitary goal to Diego Costa in the 55th minute opened up the game, and it proved to be the only score in a game that had one goal disallowed (for Iran) and several others cleared or saved on the line.

Iran were expected to sit deep and contain Spain’s final ball, and they didn’t disappoint. Their 6-3-1 formation in the low block was always going to be tricky for Spain to break down, and in the first half Spain were reasonably well nullified.

Isco and Silva were tireless on the ball, controlling and working possession like fine artisans while teaming with Andreas Iniesta – one of the progenitors of tiki-taka – to penetrate down Iran’s left. But despite the weight of possession (81 per cent at the half) Spain could not find a way past the Fort Knox of the Iranian defence.

The second half started on-trend, but Diego Costa’s goal – which won’t make any highlight reels as it bounced from Costa to defender to Costa’s knee which then ricocheted past Iranian keeper Beiranvand – broke the game wide open.

From that point Iran moved the bus out of the driveway and tried to play against Spain. They opened up the park, traded space behind the back four for attacking options and took the Spanish on.

They made two excellent chances, one that lead to the disallowed goal for offside, and the other a point blank header that soared over the bar from Medhi Taremi. With a bit more luck Iran could have clawed a result from this game, despite finishing with only 22 per cent and offering seven shots (none on target) to Spain’s 18 (5 on target).

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Iran will take heart from their final 30 minutes, and will be inspired to go at Portugal in their final group game.

Needing three points against a Portugal team who also like to sit back, Iran could open that game up and try and utilise their attacking threats, like Taremi, who put in a good show against one of the most talented back 4s in the world.

Spain will be pleased with the three points but will have wanted more. In the final 30 minutes they squandered some good chances and will be disappointed not to have stolen another goal to add to their difference tally.

With Portugal only scoring once in their earlier game against Morocco, Spain might reflect on the final 30 minutes as an investment they didn’t make.

Midfielder Isco was man-of-the-match and spent the night forwarding his Golden Ball credentials.

Isco’s passing, spatial awareness and interplay with Silva and Iniesta kept the threat level at extreme for Iran throughout.

Spain’s challenge is not to create more chances, but to take them, and manager Fernando Hierro will tinker with his front line to try and make that possible.

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Lucas Vazquez on the right didn’t quite work, and he should look to get some more support for Diego Costa in the inside channel.

Overall a fine effort by Iran where they might have stolen a point, but Spain were, predictably, too threatening for too long and deserved all three.

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