Iran vs Spain Review

Iran 0-1 Spain 

In a game which would have seen Iran secure their place in the last 16 if they managed another unlikely victory, the Iranians produced a strong defensive display, and only a pinball like deflected Diego Costa finish decided the game. 

VAR was used to confirm an on-field decision made by the linesman ruled out an Iranian equaliser which was hugely celebrated by the whole team and substitutes bench.  

Carlos Queiroz's Iran side had also gone close through Karim Ansarifard and Mehdi Taremi before the crucial offside call and their spirit and determination throughout appeared to endear them to the crowd at the Kazan Arena.

They survived a chaotic goalmouth scramble where Gerard Pique somehow failed to turn home from a yard out, but again showed heart and threatened late on, with Taremi heading over when well placed.

Fernando Hierro,, who replaced Julen Lopetegui as Spain manager only two days before the 2018 World Cup started, knows his Spanish side will reach the knockout stage if they beat Morocco on Monday, as they are expected too, however, a draw will also be enough if Iran fail to beat Portugal.

ITV pundits Roy Keane and Patrice Evra were rather critical of the Iranian side for their first half display, accusing the Middle Eastern side of gamesmanship and cheating. Slaven Bilic and Ian Wright joined Evra and Keane in the studio, and the overall consensus hoped the European side to beat Iran because of the "cheating" in the first half. 

Iran will have to play their hearts out, and have showed signs of promise in their first two group games and will also face a stern test against Portugal, and need to win to have a chance to contest the knockouts.