Daily Times

KAZAN: Spain had to throw their usual game plan out of the window against doggedly defensive Iran in World Cup Group B but they felt all the stronger after grabbing a scrappy 1-0 victory on Wednesday night. “It’s so difficult to play against a team that only wants to close you down, but these are the types of games that win you a World Cup,” said defender Dani Carvajal after Diego Costa’s rebounded goal took them level with Portugal on top of Group B. “We had climb our way over a huge hurdle and dig in to get the three points.” Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo described the match in Kazan as “a heart attack game” while daily Marca declared: “We suffered but the wall fell down”.

AS called Spain “leaders of the rebound” while newspaper Sport thanked the existence of video technology which ruled out a potential Iran equaliser for offside, declaring “Long Live VAR!” on its cover. Spain coach Fernando Hierro effusively praised his opposite number Carlos Queiroz for turning Iran into the unforgiving unit which so nearly held his side to a draw that would have hit their hopes of getting out of the group. But Carvajal was less complimentary. Having drawn 3-3 with Portugal after a stunning hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo, Spain would have been forgiven for thinking their hardest test in the group was over, but Iran posed a very different challenge. Midfielder Isco underlined the importance of the win and said his side better get used to playing teams happy to construct a defensive wall. “This was practically a final, we had to win at whatever cost after the game with Portugal,” he said. “Every team plays differently, we have to be prepared for every situation. We’re happy that we have three points and depend on ourselves to go top and now we face Morocco who will also prove difficult.” Spain are level on four points with Portugal and have an identical goal difference and head-to-head record to the European champions. The 2010 World Cup winners need to beat Morocco in their final group game and hope Portugal fail to overcome Iran by as many goals in order to secure top spot.

Published in Daily Times, June 22^nd 2018.