Spain needs work – coach

Kaliningrad – Spanish coach Fernando Hierro said his side must defend better after a last-ditch VAR-assisted equaliser earned them a 2-2 draw with Morocco and set up a second-round clash with hosts Russia.

The injury-time goal from substitute Iago Aspas (above) capped a dramatic finale to a Group B that the Spaniards ended up topping after the Iranians levelled late against the Portugese to draw 1-1 in Saransk.

But Hierro said the team needed to work on its defence following a group stage that saw the 2010 winners concede five goals in three games. “Five goals in three matches is not the way forward. The players are professional, they understand what the situation is,” Hierro told reporters.

Morocco took the lead in the 14th minute when Khalid Boutaib took advantage of a horrible mixup between Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta to race through and slide the ball calmly through David de Gea’s legs.

Things nearly got even worse for La Roja (The Red One), when Boutaib missed a golden chance to put Morocco ahead for a second time after Isco pulled the Spaniards level. The striker’s low one-on-one shot was saved by De Gea after both Ramos and Gerard Pique were caught napping with a quick throw in.

Hierro refused to single players out for criticism but promised his side would work collectively to shore things up at the back.

Spain now play hosts Russia in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday. –