WORLD CUP 2018 - GROUP B
A goal early in the second period by Diego Costa was enough for Spain to defeat a battling Iran 1-0 and get their World Cup back on track.
Iran began the tournament with victory over Morocco, their first at a World Cup finals since 1998 whilst Spain conceded three in a draw with Portugal.
The Spaniards would be mindful they had been eliminated at the group stage in two of the last three World Cup tournaments in which they have failed to win their opening match (1998 and 2014) yet won the tournament on the other occasion, in 2010.
But it was always going to be a big ask of Iran to pull off a shock result in this first ever meeting of the teams with history also against them as they had lost five of their six previous fixtures against European opposition at the World Cup, drawing the other.
Yet, whilst the Iranians may have failed to register the win they pushed Spain hard and will consider themselves unlucky with a battling rearguard performance which saw the Europeans struggle to breakdown a resolute Iran defence.
At times the game was almost the attack of Spain against the defence of Iran such was the Spaniards dominance. However Iran's defence was breached in the 54th minute by Diego Costa with his ninth goal in nine international matches.
But it was cruel on Iran and fortunate for Costa as the Atletico Madrid striker fired the ball against Ramin Rezaeian but it deflected back off the Spain player and into goal.
Moments later Iran were in dreamland only to be cruelly denied an equaliser as Saeid Ezatolahi effort following a free kick was correctly disallowed for offside by VAR.
Spain had an opportunity to make the game safe but Gerard Pique and Costa both failed to force the ball over the line during a goalmouth scramble.
Iran almost took the lead after the break when Karim Ansarifard shot into the side netting then Mehdi Taremi headed narrowly wide, only for Costa to deflate their chances.
Iran's last three World Cup goals had all come in the final 15 minutes of matches and they continued to press Spain for a leveler and almost succeeded on 83 minutes but Taremi headed over.
Iran will take confidence from this defeat but Spain will be frustrated that their dominant possession cannot be turned into goals, but for the moment there will be relief in the Spanish camp that they held on for three points.
Iran: 0
Spain: 1 (Costa 54)
Kazan Arena
