Spain sneaked past Iran to gain their first win of the World Cup, but they rode their luck as the only goal came from a deflected clearance off Diego Costa which the fiery frontman knew nothing about.
Iran put up a magnificent defensive effort and also gave Spain a few scary moments at the back – especially shortly after falling behind when the game’s biggest talking point arose…
Iran so near yet so VAR
Just after the hour mark Iran thought they had grabbed an historic equaliser, when an angled free-kick dropped at the feet of Saeid Ezatolahi and he promptly controlled to fire home. But as Carlos Queiroz’s team celebrated with unrestrained glee they failed to spot the linesman’s flag raised for offside, while referee Andres Cunha called for the use of video evidence to verify the decision.
After a few seconds – all that was necessary to show that Ezatolahi was indeed offside – Cunha was able to confirm the initial decision and move the game along, having ensured that justice had been served.
This was a textbook use of VAR. It was a huge moment in the game and there was considerable doubt over the original offside flag. If it had been raised wrongly and Iran had been denied a legitimate goal, it would have been a major moment not just in the game but also in the wider context of the group. Getting big decisions like this right simply makes the game better.
Spain make their own luck
It’s true that Spain’s goal was an enormous fluke, with Iranian right-back Ramin Rezaeian nipping in front of Diego Costa to make a well-timed clearance on the edge of the box, but then seeing his good work turn into a disaster as the ball took a ricochet off Costa’s shin and flew into the bottom corner of the net.
That was no way for a game of football to be decided, but in truth Spain more than deserved their moment of fortune after totally dominating the game. They were the only side even attempting to play progressive football, and considering the amount of time the ball spent in and around Iran’s penalty area it was only a matter of time until a piece of fortune went in Spain’s favour.
As the old saying goes: if you don’t buy a ticket you can’t win the lottery. Or if you don’t get the ball inside the opposition’s penalty area, you won’t benefit from a fortunate goal every now and then. Iran’s defensive discipline was commendable, but Spain spent most of the game attempting to score whereas their opponents were only attempting not to concede.
Isco and Silva lead Spain
This was by no means a classic performance from Spain, but two games into the World Cup it is becoming more than apparent that Isco and David Silva are the leaders of La Roja.
Although Andres Iniesta produced some excellent skill in the build-up to the goal, he is clearly a fading force and is unlikely to complete a game in the tournament, having been replaced midway through the second half in both contests so far.
Isco and Silva, meanwhile, were at the heart of everything and always looked the most likely sources of a breakthrough, mustering a combined total of nine shots on goal. And that is essential in the lone frontman formation being employed by interim boss Fernando Hierro, because Costa can’t be the sole source of goals and he needs support from midfielders breaking into the box.
During the glory years at the turn of the decade, the Spanish side was run by Xavi, with support from Iniesta and Xabi Alonso. Now two of them have gone and the third is on his way out, but there are new conductors of the orchestra and the role of Isco and Silva will perhaps be more important than anyone else in Spain’s quest for glory.
