/World Cup stramash denies Costa… this time
● Fortuitous goal earns Hierro’s men victory as they go joint top of group with Portugal
Some desperate Iranian defending, right, manages to prevent Spain striker Diego Costa from forcing the ball over the line in last night’s World Cup Group B clash at the Kazan Arena.
The Atletico Madrid forward had, though, already scored with a deflected effort which proved to be the winner in a 1-0 victory.
A relieved Spain boss Fernando Hierro said: “There were times in both halves when things were tough but my players did what they had to do.”
The result, along with Portugal’s win over Morocco, also by a goal to nil, means the north Africans have been knocked out. Cristiano Ronaldo headed the winner – his 85th for his country – putting him one ahead of Hungary’s Ferenc Puskas as Europe’s top international scorer.
Diego Costa’s second-half strike proved enough for Spain to squeeze past Iran in Kazan and move into a commanding position in their bid to qualify from Group B.
Costa broke Iran’s sturdy resistance with a slightly fortuitous 54th-minute goal, and the Spaniards were lucky to hold onto their lead with Saeid Ezatolahi’s effort ruled out for offside after a video assistant referee check six minutes later.
Their 1-0 win leaves Fernando Hierro’s men joint top of their World Cup group with Portugal on four points, but Iran still have plenty to play for just a point behind heading into their final match.
The favourites dominated the first period but were continually frustrated in their quest to break down a resolute Iran side steeled by their dramatic opening win over Morocco.
David Silva fired a 25thminute free-kick straight at Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand, and the busy Ezatolahi dispossessed Andres Iniesta as he shaped to shoot on the half-hour.
Defending deeply, it seemed evident the Iranians were playing for set-pieces and Spanish frustration spilled over after Beiranvand’s over- the-top reaction to a clash with Costa.
The first half ended with Silva twice denied by a wall of Iranian defenders and half-time merely paused the inevitable as Spain set out in the second half with renewed intent.
Be iran v and hooked a gerard Pique effort off his line then pulled off a fortunate double save to deny first Sergio Bus- quets then Lucas Vazquez. Iran almost grabbed the lead out of nowhere in the 53rd minute when Karim Ansarifard lashed a low shot from the left flank which squeezed into the side-netting.
And Spain made them pay within a minute when Costa turned on an Iniesta throughball in the box and steered home, after the ball had ricocheted off Ramin Rezaeian and back onto the striker.
Far from signalling a renewed spell of Spanish dominance, the goal revitalised Iran and they thought they had equalised on the hour when Ezatolahi prodded home only for the referee to rule the strike out after a VAR check for offside.
Iran belatedly continued to press, and they almost grabbed an equaliser again nine minutes from time when Mehdi Taremi headed just over after Vahid Amiri beat Pique and crossed from the left.
Spain head coach Hierro was a relieved man come the fulltime whistle.
“What I can say is that we have three more points,” he said. “We knew it was going to be very difficult and, sure enough, it was a very complex game. There were times in both halves when things were tough. During the break, we knew we had a plan and we carried it out – my players did what they had to do.
“Iran are a strong team and it’s very tough to score against them. We knew how hard it would be. But once again my players have given everything.”
Iran coach Carlos Quieroz said: “There’s no doubt Spain play wonderful, stylish football but we deserved more for the way we played.
“Everything is still open. We are still alive and still dreaming.”