Queiroz made the brave choice, and the final half-hour of the game was an open, back-and-forth affair. Spain had plenty of opportunities for a second — at one point Costa and Gerard Pique repeatedly kicked a ball on the Iranian goal line, but were foiled by two Iranian defenders who all but fell on top of the ball — but were unable to convert.
For a brief moment, as Kazan Arena erupted all around them, it seemed that Iran had scored. An Iranian free kick was headed off Saeid Ezatolahi, who corralled the loose ball and dispatched it into the back of the net. But after a review by the video assistant referee, it was confirmed that Ezatolahi was offside.
Another near equalizer would have been one of the goals of the tournament. Skipping along parallel to the touchline, Vahid Amiri nutmegged Pique before floating a perfect cross toward the back post. Mehdi Taremi flew in and thumped the ball with his head, but it went over.
After two matches, it’s hard to know what to think of either team. Iran has a stout defense, but the attack that had looked moribund against Morocco was dangerous when they finally went forward against Spain. Meanwhile, Spain would’ve soundly beaten Portugal if it weren’t for Ronaldo’s heroics, yet the Spaniards struggled to break down Iran.
Then again, that is how it has been for Spain since they won the European Championship in 2008. All but the strongest teams are afraid to commit attackers forward against them, and so Spanish matches are an exercise in waiting for them to unlock a defense.
On Wednesday night it wasn’t tiki-taka, brilliant interplay or a satisfying one-two that won it for Spain — though at times all of those were on display — but Diego Costa’s knee and a lucky bounce. Sometimes that’s what you need.
——-
Here’s how Spain beat Iran:
94’: Spain Wins!
It’s all over in Kazan! Iran fought valiantly, but couldn’t score the equalizer. Their players are down on the field, distraught. But their World Cup is far from over thanks to their win against Morocco.
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92’: Yellow Card for Iran
An ugly tackle by Omid Ebrahimi gets him in the referee’s book, and earns Spain a free kick from a good position. It fails to beat the first man.
88’: Late Heroics?
With added time, we have about five minutes for Iran to find an equalizer.
82’: Inches From Equalizing!
Iran nearly scores one of the goals of the tournament. Vahid Amiri nutmegged Pique and teed up a header for Mehdi Taremi at the edge of the six-yard-box, but it goes just over.
79’: We Have a Booking
Vahid Amiri with the first yellow card of the match, for a late challenge on Dani Carvajal.
75’: Far From Over
Iran is looking lively here! Maybe they will manage an equalizer.
71’: Change for Spain
Andres Iniesta, who is still almost as good as he’s always been but rarely has the stamina for a full game anymore, goes off for Koke.
70’: Chaos at the Iranian Goal
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Spain gets about six kicks at a ball on the Iranian goal line, but two Iranian defenders go down in the scrum (and on top of the ball), and the Iranian ‘keeper is able to corral it. The opportunity came off a neat little corner kick move.
68’: The Fans Are Ready
63’: Iran Goal Called Back!
Iran puts a free kick into the box, and after a scramble Saeid Ezatolahi scores. But he is ruled offside, and the video assistant referee concurs with the assistant referee’s call. Ezatolahi wasn’t offside on the initial free kick, but when a teammate met the ball in the air and headed it off Ezatolahi, he had strayed a yard offside.
60’: Not Going Away Completely
Vahid Amiri gets a good head on a cross, but his shot goes wide. Iran still hasn’t had a shot on goal.
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56’: Momentum Swing? Doubtful
After a team that is parking the bus gets scored on, they usually open up in the hunt for an equalizer. But it seems unlikely that Iran is really going to chase this game, and will instead hope they can convert the one or two chances they’ll get instead.
54’: GOAL FOR SPAIN
Majid Hosseini kicks the ball off Diego Costa and into his own goal. Though he didn’t know about it, Fox is calling the goal for Costa.
Andrew Das: As soccer supervillain feats go, Diego Costa scoring on a deflection off his knee to break Iran’s hearts is right up there near the top.
49’: Close!
Spain with three great chances to score but are denied! A corner kick dribbles by the goal line but isn’t put it, a Busquets shot from outside the box is blocked, and Iranian keeper Alireza Beiranvand parries the rebound away just before Lucas Vázquez gets there.
46’: Coming Up: Goals or Cards?
The second half is underway. With 16 fouls in the first half, right now a yellow card looks more likely than a goal.
Halftime: Iran’s Strategy Is Working
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The teams go into the break tied, 0-0. Spain has had 82 percent of possession and has taken 10 shots, but, crucially, only one was on target. The Iranian defense has been doing a really good job, though they don’t look likely at all to score on the counter attack.
Halftime reading: There’s a bit of shared history between the managers of Iran and Spain, going back to Real Madrid in 2003.
47’: Silva Again, Blocked Again
David Silva gets another half-step free and unleashes a shot from the top of the box, but it is blocked out.
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Andrew Das: Almost halftime. I hope Iran brought a second trainer to rub all the feet and ankles that got stepped on in the first half.
42’: The Bunker Holds
David Silva gets a half second free in the six-yard box, but his shot is blocked by an Iranian defender.
39’: Some Testiness!
Diego Costa and Iranian keeper Alireza Beiranvand get into it. Uruguayan referee Cunha Andres is very emphatic, as he is about everything, in telling them to cut it out.
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36’: A Chance, Technically
Iran’s best chance of the match is a corner, but they can’t convert.
35’: Statistical Analysis: Kinda One-Sided
According to ESPN, Spain has had 82 percent of possession so far. That’s incredible!
32’: If It Works, It Works
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I’ve been dismissive of Iran, but they are defending extremely well. They’re not hanging on by the skin of their teeth, but credibly shutting down every Spanish attack.
28’: Well There’s This...
Iran controlled the ball for about two minutes, which seems like a big accomplishment.
Andrew Das: You have to wonder if Iran can keep this up for 90 minutes. Possession is three to one for Spain, and it’s one acrobatic or frantic clearance after another in front of the Iran goal. It’s exciting — Iranians might call it heroic defending — but it’s hard to sustain over 90 minutes. And we’re only at the half-hour now.
25’: Free Kick Is No Trouble for Beiranvand
After another Iranian foul in their own half, David Silva lined up for a 30 yard free kick. His deflected shot was on target, but right into the arms of Alireza Beiranvand, the Iranian ‘keeper.
18’: It’s Spain 2.0
Spain obviously has a number of incredible passers and dribblers, but this isn’t the tiki-taka team of 2010. They have big Diego Costa up front to put passes into, and are looking more for one killer ball than a serious of intricate passes.
13’: An Early Theme
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More of the same, as Spain looks to unlock the compact Iranian defense. We might be repeating this one a fair bit tonight ...
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Spain has managed two free kicks near the Iranian goal, but weren’t able to connect with the subsequent cross either time.
6’: Iran Breaks Out
Iran with a good break forward and they eventually earn a free kick near the corner flag, but Spain heads away out of danger.
3’: Bus Parked? Bus Parked.
We’re just a few minutes in, and Iran already has 10 men behind the ball as Spain passes it around among themselves. It might be a long night for the Iranian defense.
01’: We Are Underway!
Spain is in white, Iran is in red.
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Spain’s Been Here Before
Spain didn’t lose a match in qualifying, scoring 36 goals and giving up just 3, only a 1-1 draw at Italy preventing them from winning all 10 games. Then again, La Furia Roja also didn’t lose in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, yet were handily bounced in the group stage.
Saeid Ezatolahi
10. Karim Ansarifard
17. Mehdi Taremi
20. Sardar Azmoun
Diego Costa, right, celebrates after scoring Spain’s only goal against Iran. (Frank Augstein/Associated Press)
Spain 1, Iran 0
Group B, Kazan Arena, Kazan
The win Spain desperately needed came after 94 minutes of desperate, sprinting, all-out soccer that yielded only one goal and very nearly another. La Furia Roja defeated Iran, 1-0, to earn a much-needed three points in Group B and keep alive its hopes of advancing to the World Cup’s knockout stage.
The result left Portugal and Spain tied atop Group B, with Iran one point behind. Only two teams can advance, and only one match remains for each team in the group stage. Spain is guaranteed to advance with at least a draw against Morocco on Monday.
Iran committed to defending Spain’s possession attack for much of the game, allowing La Furia Roja to complete 720 passes and control the ball for 68 percent of the game. That proved too much for even Team Melli’s best defensive effort.
In the 54th minute, Andres Iniesta beat two defenders and caught Iran’s back line out-numbered around the 18-yard box. He played a nice pass into the box to Diego Costa, who controlled the ball and spun between two defenders. One tried to make a tackle and instead flicked the ball off Costa’s shin and then past Alireza Beiranvand, the goalkeeper, to open the scoring.
Sometimes luck is all you kneed.
(we'll see ourselves out) pic.twitter.com/B6arwyukFU — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018
Iran looked like it had a response 10 minutes later after earning a free kick in the attacking half. The ball fell into the box undefended and wound up in a scrum until Saeid Ezatolahi found it and struck it past Spanish keeper David de Gea, inciting a frenzy in the Iranian technical area and on the field.
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But after a 20-second delay, officials took the goal off the board for an offside call, which was confirmed by video review.
Iran thought they had equalized but VAR ruled it was offside! pic.twitter.com/CObtXL78Sq — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018
***
What’s next
Iran: vs. Portugal in Saransk, June 25, 2 p.m.
Spain: vs. Morocco in Kaliningrad, June 25, 2 p.m.
Complete World Cup scores and schedule
***
In-Game updates
Yellow card to Iran’s Ebrahimi
In the 92nd minute.
Iran substitution: Ghoddos for Amiri
In the 87th minute.
Iran not dead yet
Team Melli is still fighting and nearly equalized in the 82nd minute. Amiri put the ball through the legs of a Spanish defender, then lofted a cross that was indefensible. Mehdi was on the other side, but his header was a foot high of the goal.
It's OK, Pique. Iran fails to convert after the nutmeg. 😱#IRNESP pic.twitter.com/Hk6fcBOy09 — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 20, 2018
Spain substitution: Ascensio for Vazquez
In the 79th minute.
[Egypt is denied its roar for Mohamed Salah as Russia rolls to World Cup win]
Yellow card to Iran’s Amiri
In the 79th minute.
Iran substitution: Jahanbakhsh for Ansarifard
In the 75th minute.
Spain substitution: Koke for Inesta
In the 71st minute.
Iran substitution: Mohamedi for Haji Safi
In the 70th minute.
Goal Iran — or not
Team Melli won a free kick 30 yards out that fell into the box without a Spanish answer. Saeid Ezatolahi found the ball and a struck it past de Gea, inciting a frenzy in the Iranian technical area and on the field.
But after a 20-second delay, officials took the goal off the board.
Iran thought they had equalized but VAR ruled it was offside! pic.twitter.com/CObtXL78Sq — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2018
Goal, Spain!
Finally, La Furia Roja breaks through. Iniesta played a nice ball into the box to Diego Costa, who controlled the ball and spun between two defenders. One tried to make a tackle and instead flicked the ball of Costa’s shin and past Beiranvand, the goalkeeper, to open the scoring.
Iran misses a chance
Really, that should have scored, too. Iran won a throw in the attacking zone, and Karim Ansarifard was able to put a foot on an ensuing cross. He had Spanish keeper David de Gea cleanly beaten but pulled a shot from 12 yards out just wide. The ripple off the outside of the net made it look like he had scored.
Spain getting even closer
How hasn’t it scored yet?
It’s the 49th minute now, and Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand swatted away a header that was inches from trickling over the goal line, then punched away a strong drive from the 18-yard box after a semi-clearance moments later. And he saved the rebound, too!
DOUBLE SAVE! IR Iran keeper Beiranvand makes a flying stop from a stinging Busquets strike and then has the piece of mind to palm the ball away to safety pic.twitter.com/WBf9nLBOtF — ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 20, 2018
Halftime: Spain 0, Iran 0
After 45 minutes, Iran and Spain are scoreless in Kazan, just how Team Melli likes it. Spain held the ball 73 percent of the half and fired 10 shots, four of them on goal. But Iran dropped all 11 men behind the ball and foiled each and every Spanish surge to go to halftime in a scoreless tie.
Spain knocks on the door
The Spaniards are edging closer and closer to the goal with every wave of attacks. Andres Iniesta was three yards from the net when this ball came on to his foot in the 42nd minute, but Team Melli’s back line rose to the task and deadened his shot. It’s an early game-saver for Iran, and another frustrating miss for Spain.
Look at #Iran defending here. Putting 11 men behind the ball. They're going to stay like this for 70 minutes of this game.#IRN #ESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/1zf4yxuLFD — ((( Jacob Bogage ))) (@jacobbogage) June 20, 2018
Iran committing to defense
Team Melli is perfectly content to let Spain control the ball and dance around the box, but Iran has done well to foil any promising Spanish chances.
Spain off to a strong start
Through 16 minutes, La Furia Roja has been on the ball 77 percent of the game and are playing with 85 percent pass accuracy.
Starting lineups announced
Opening thoughts
It will take a miracle for the Islamic Republic to defeat La Furia Roja, the 2010 World Cup champions who were somehow bounced in the group stage of the 2014 tournament. But Team Melli is in the upset business after a surprising win against Morocco last week. Spain is in the odd position of needing a win after conceding a draw to Portugal last week in the tournament’s most exciting match to date.
Team profiles
Iran (1-0-0, 3 points)
Last World Cup showing: Group stage, 2014.
Best finish: Group stage, 2014, 1998, 1978.
Notable: Coach Carlos Queiroz previously guided South Africa and his native Portugal to the World Cup, but he has yet to win a knockout-round game in two previous World Cup trips.
FIFA world ranking: 37. ELO world ranking: 20.
Spain (0-1-0, 3 points)
Last World Cup showing: Group stage, 2014.
Best finish: Champion, 2010.
Notable: Spain conceded just two goals in seven matches en route to the 2010 championship. In four World Cup matches since, La Furia Roja have been outscored 10-7.
FIFA world ranking: 10. ELO world ranking: 2.
Read more about the World Cup:
Portugal vs. Spain was a symphony, and Cristiano Ronaldo hit all the high notes
Iran held him captive for 544 days. Now he’s rooting for its World Cup team.
Global opinions: Sorry, Iran. The World Cup is for women, too.
Nike tells Iran’s World Cup team to find other shoes
‘Iranian Messi’ feels at home at World Cup before Spain game
Mediaset España will show full live coverage of the game in Spain.IRIB, beIN Sports are the stations to turn to in Iran.
Alternatively, you can follow all the action from the game on the SunSport LIVE blog.
Spain defender Gerard Pique saves a stranded bird on the pitch during World Cup 2018 match with Iran
How can I watch and live stream Spain vs Iran for free?
ITV and the ITV Hub are free for all UK viewers with a TV and a TV licence.
It costs £150.50 for a colour and £50.50 for a black and white TV licence. Get your licence here.
Highlights for ITV matches will be available for free to all UK viewers.
What are the confirmed team line-ups?
When is Spain vs Iran?
The match will take place TONIGHT - Wednesday, June 20.
Kick-off is at 7pm UK time.
The match will be held at the Kazan Arena in Russia.
Spain beat Iran 1-0 here in Kazan. But rarely can a victory have been as hard won. Iran were simply magnificent in their collective obduracy. Rarely can the old coaching maxim of don’t leave anything on the pitch have been so played out as it was by this Iran team. Against their elevated opponents, the players of Iran gave their all, several of them collapsing to the turf on the final whistle, exhausted by their heroic effort.
“We have three more points,” said the Spain coach, Fernando Hierro, sounding the most relieved man west of Vladivostock. “But it was a very tough game, they are very strong physically.”
His full back Carlos Cavarjal was less diplomatic: “That was not football, that was a betrayal,” the Barcelona man said of Iran’s approach.
Try telling that to their fans. 20,000 Iranians filled the Kazan Arena with an astonishing level of support. Many of them had come from Tehran armed with plastic horns. It was like 2010 all over again, the stadium resounding to the sort of soundtrack we had hoped was consigned to history after the South Africa World Cup. But no, this was a bad case of deja vuvuzela.
And nothing seemed to suppress the noise; even when their goalkeeper caught it the stadium superstructure was in danger.
Yet if there is any team in the world who can be relied upon to dull the excitement of the opposition supporters it is Spain. And as the slick, sophisticated interchanges of Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Isco began to spin across the turf, it seemed silence would soon prevail.
