COSTA SO LUCKY
Fluke goal breaks down Iran resistance
IT WAS about as visceral a challenge as football can present, a hugely attritional contest played out to the relentless, infernal sound of Iranian vuvuzelas that drowned out any means of communication or thought.
It was just as well that Spain had the man for such a test. Diego Costa’s goal, soon after half-time, came as one wondered whether they had what it took to knock down the door built by Iran in a partisan atmosphere straight out of central Tehran. The goal was not an object of beauty but the winners of this tournament will need much more than artistry.
Someone had brought a banner which read ‘Iran 0 Spain 0’ because even the thousands of Iranian fans knew what the plan would be.
This was an Iran team who had conceded five goals in 18 qualifying games. There was a reason why two of the three players who had picked up yellow cards against Morocco didn’t start. Carlos Queiroz had nothing but attrition in mind. There was something quite captivating about the dance that unfolded, Iran deploying six across the back and three in front of them, though it morphed to a flat back nine at times, while Spain tried to weave a silver thread through the obstacles.
Some monumental performances repelled the Spanish in the first half. Saeid Ezatolahi, sitting in front of the defence at the start, was the human shield. The central defenders threw everything into the effort which, after half an hour, had given them just 16.7 per cent of possession.
There was the impeccable manipulation of the ball we have come to expect from Spain, yet there is a substantial difference between metronomic and dynamic. They sought out the flanks with the diagonal ball, but those wide spaces were a wasteland, given that there was a monumental red barrier to lift the ball above.
This needed the dynamic pass which would break the Iranian defensive lines or, dare it be said, the long ball seeking Costa, but for 45 minutes those didn’t come.
When Costa did what Costa does — trod on Ali Beiranvand’s foot when the goalkeeper was in possession — you felt it was necessary. It might have taken something of the night to break down that door.
David Silva, their most dangerous threat, fastened on to a loose ball with back to goal and fired over just before the half hour. The same player’s shot was deflected wide after a rare vertical pass from Isco had surprised the Iranians. Stalemate was treacherous for Spain. Karim Ansarifard smashed a ball into the side netting just after the break.
But then the breakthrough. Costa called for the ball and, back to goal when Andres Iniesta delivered, he dragged it into a shooting position. Ramin Rezaeian’s covering challenge saw him hit the ball into his own net off Costa’s leg. The Spanish were not out of the woods. Ezatolahi crashed the ball in, though was correctly ruled offside when the ball reached him from a free-kick to the far post — a decision confirmed by VAR.
Even at the death, Queiroz’s side almost equalised when Vahid Amiri nutmegged Gerard Pique on the left and crossed for Mehdi Taremi, who powered his header over. The kind of test which those with pretensions to win this trophy have to pass. IRAN (4-1-4-1): A Beiranvand 6.5; Rezaeian 6.5, Pouraliganji 7, Hosseini 7, Haji Safi 7 (Mohammadi 69min, 6); Ezatolahi 7.5; Taremi 6, Ebrahimi 5.5, Amiri 6.5 (Ghoddos 86), Ansarifad 6.5 (Jahanbakhish 75); Azmoun 5.5. Booked: Amiri, Ebrahimi. Manager: Carlos Queiroz 7. SPAIN (4-2-3-1): De Gea 6.5; Carvajal 6, Pique 6, Ramos 7, Alba 6; Busquets 6.5, Iniesta 7 (Koke 70, 6); SILVA 8, Isco 6, Vazquez 6.5 (Asensio 80 6); Costa 7.5 (Rodrigo 88). Scorer: Costa 54. Booked: None. Manager: Fernando Hierro 6.5. Referee: Andres Cunha (Uru) 6.5. Attendance: 42,718.