HIERRO STICKS WITH DE GEA AFTER GAFFE

IRAN v SPAIN Group B: Kazan Arena, Kazan TODAY, 7 PM ITV

DAVID DE GEA will retain his place as Spain’s No.1 – after stand-in coach Fernando Hierro hailed the Manchester United keeper as one of the best in the world.

De Gea was lambasted in his homeland for the mistake which enabled Cristiano Ronaldo to score the second of his three goals as Spain drew 3-3 with Portugal in their opening World Cup game.

Iran are next up and Hierro said: “De Gea is playing tomorrow – and we trust him 100 per cent. David is one of the best two or three goalkeepers in the world and we trust him totally.”

Hierro was asked to take charge of Spain when Julen Lopetetui was sacked on the eve of the tournament after agreeing to fill the vacant Real Madrid job. And he has done his homework on Carlos Queiroz’s Iran, following their 1-0 win over Morocco.

Hierro said: “Of the last 37 goals Iran have scored, 40 per cent have been from set-pieces, so they have a very clear idea of what they want to do.”

Queiroz, the former assistant coach of Manchester United, faces a huge task tonight, but warned: “Our attitude has to be to try to win the game.”