Diego Costa scored the only goal of the match as Spain recorded a 1-0 win over Iran in Wednesday night's 2018 World Cup clash in Kazan.
The victory has seen Spain join Portugal on four points in Group B, while Iran remain third on three points ahead of the final matchday on June 25.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.01pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup coverage continues from Kazan as Iran face Spain in Group B. Iran opened their tournament with a 1-0 win over Morocco last time out, while Spain drew 3-3 with Portugal in what was a spectacular match. Portugal actually moved to the top of Group B with a 1-0 victory over Morocco earlier this afternoon, and there is certainly pressure on both Iran and Spain to pick up a positive result in this match. Stay tuned for the action!
6.04pmTonight will be the first ever meeting between Iran and Spain in international football, and the former will be looking to cause a shock to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition. Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news here...
6.07pmTEAMS!
IRAN: Beiranvand; Haji Safi, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Ramin; Taremi, Ezatolahi, Omid, Amiri, Karim; Sardar
SPAIN: De Gea; Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta; Silva, Isco, Vazquez; Costa
6.10pmInterim Spain boss Fernando Hierro has made two changes to the team that started against Portugal last time out, with fit-again Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez coming in for Nacho and Koke. Diego Costa scored twice against Portugal and keeps his spot, while Andres Iniesta will operate in a deeper position. David Silva and Isco also retain their positions in the La Roja XI.
6.13pm
Gerard Piqué wins his 100th cap for Spain tonight. A legend for La Roja, whether some supporters like it or not... #Piqué100 #ESP #WorldCup
— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) June 20, 2018
6.16pmAs for Iran, head coach Carlos Quieroz has made three changes to the team that started the 1-0 win over Morocco last time out. Majid Hosseini, Mehdi Taremi and Saeid Ezatolahi are all included, while Sardar Azmoun - the leading scorer in the squad - keeps his spot at the tip of the attack.
6.19pmThere is no question that Iran will be looking to Azmoun for inspiration tonight, with the Rubin Kazan forward netting 23 times in 34 appearances for his country. There are plenty of goals in this Iran side when considering that Mehdi Taremi also starts, while Karim Ansarifard also keeps his position in the team. Nottingham Forest midfielder Ashkan Dejagah, however, is again on the bench.
6.22pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Kazan. As mentioned, Portugal moved to the top of Group B with a 1-0 victory over Morocco earlier this afternoon, and there is certainly pressure on both Iran and Spain to pick up a positive result in this match. A victory for Iran would actually take them into the knockout round of the tournament.
6.25pm
🇮🇷🇺🇸In our archives we have the shirt worn by Esteli in 1998 when he scored against the USA in Iran's first #WorldCup victory.
— FIFA Museum (@FIFAMuseum) June 20, 2018
The game earned both teams the FIFA Fair Play award, as they put aside political tensions and were photographed arm in arm before the match #IRNESP pic.twitter.com/88wYGblFeO
6.28pmIran's clash with Morocco last week was not exactly a classic, but a 95th-minute own goal from Aziz Bouhaddouz saw Quieroz's side pick up all three points. Team Melli have never been past the group stage of a World Cup, but another win tonight would take them into the knockout round.
6.32pmIran won six of their 10 qualification matches to make this summer's finals – only conceding two goals in the process. They were tight defensively against an attacking Morocco team last time out, and Spain will have a job on their hands to breach Iran's back four in this match.
6.35pmAs mentioned, Spain opened their tournament with a 3-3 draw against Portugal last time out. The 2010 world champions trailed 1-0 and 2-1 before leading 3-2, but a late Cristiano Ronaldo free kick saw Portugal claim a point. As a result, there is pressure on La Roja to pick up a win here.
6.38pm..... Spain, for me. However, Iran are certainly capable of causing a shock here.
Complete the sentence:
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 20, 2018
"I think the winner of this match will be _________________"#IRNESP pic.twitter.com/SjhU3SIJ9g
6.42pmSpain would join Portugal on four points with a win tonight, but Iran would still be on three points, and qualification would go to the final matchday. Portugal will face Iran in what looks to be a hugely important match, while Spain will finish against Morocco, who have already been eliminated. That said, Morocco played extremely well in their 1-0 defeat to Portugal in Moscow.
6.45pmSpain lifted the 2010 World Cup, but were incredibly eliminated in the group stage of the competition back in 2014. It would be a huge surprise if La Roja did not make it through this section when all is said and done, but their preparations in Russia were not exactly ideal when considering that Julen Lopetegui was sacked just one day before the start of the tournament.
6.48pmIndeed, Lopetegui was confirmed as Real Madrid's new boss last Tuesday, but the president of the Spanish FA Luis Rubiales claimed that the decision was made without his knowledge. The RFEF was unable to accept Lopetegui's handling of the situation, and relieved him of his duties. As a result, former Spain and Real Madrid centre-back Fernando Hierro is currently in charge.
6.52pm
Starts for @D_DeGea and @21LVA as #ESP look to make up ground in Group B#IRNESP #PL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/7QPpChLd72
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 20, 2018
6.55pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in Kazan. A win for Iran takes them into the knockout round of the competition, and would leave Spain in a very tough spot. It should be a very interesting game of football; stay tuned for live updates!
0 minKICKOFF! Spain kick things off in this Group B clash...
2 min... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. Spain will dominate the ball, but Iran will be very tough to break down. The noise really is deafening here.
4 minThe match has not really got going in the opening four minutes, with a series of late challenges forcing the referee to intervene. The crowd are yet to settle, meanwhile, as the noise continues.
6 minPositive goalkeeping from Beiranvand as the Iran stopper comes through a crowd of players to punch clear a cross from Carvajal. Spain have a half-chance moments later when Carvajal meets a deep cross, but the right-back's effort was always rising high and wide of the Iran crossbar.
7 minIran win a free kick in a wide position as Amiri is bundled to the ground...
7 min... super header from Pique to clear the first cross, and Amiri then fires high and wide of the crossbar. Well, Iran are certainly up for this match, and the same can be said for their fans.
9 minAzmoun receives some treatment following a heavy challenge from Ramos. Accidental? Well it was Ramos so! Nine minutes on the clock, and this one is bubbling along very nicely indeed.
11 minAlba delivers a dangerous cross into the Iran box, but neither Ramos nor Pique can direct the ball towards goal. No sign that the deafening noise inside the stadium is going to be dampened!
13 minAzmoun catches Busquets with a very late challenge, and the referee is tested.
14 minHalf-chance for Iran as Azmoun finds space in a forward position, but his effort was always wide.
16 minThe match is not in any sort of rhythm at the moment as the referee continues to intervene. We are still waiting for the first opportunity, with 16 minutes now on the clock in Kazan.
18 minTaremi manages to break the offside flag, but the number 17 does not make the most of the situation, and Spain get away with one there. Iran are not here to sit deep, that is for sure.
20 minDavid Silva finds some space in a forward position, but the midfielder's strike is straight into an Iran shirt. Spain are finding it difficult to pick their passes in the final third of the field here.
22 minIran continue to clear their lines, with Spain simply unable to pick their passes in the final third. There is no question that Carlos Quieroz has drilled this Iran side incredibly well.
24 minRamos's free kick hits the Iran wall before Beiranvand collects. Iran look to break, but they do not have the bodies forward, and Spain quickly win another free kick in a fairly advanced area...
24 min... Ezatolahi is still down receiving treatment for Iran after a little clash with Costa.
25 minSilva's free kick is straight into the arms of the Iranian goalkeeper.
27 minIt is very much an attack versus defence exercise at the moment, but Spain will not become frustrated. Indeed, the 2010 world champions will fancy their chances of picking a pass at some point tonight. That said, Iran have players capable of causing problems on the counter-attack.
29 minPass, pass, pass from Spain as they look to pick a way through this stern Iran defence.
30 minWonderful passing move from Spain as Isco scoops the ball into Iniesta, but Iran have enough players back to make the clearance. A half-chance does arrive for Spain when Silva attempts an over-head kick inside the box, but his effort was always too high. Better from La Roja there.
32 minIsco dances away from a couple of challenges before striking towards goal, but his effort was not even close to testing the Iran goalkeeper. Just a few signs that Spain are warming to their task.
34 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Iran are still more than holding their own. That said, Querioz's side have not been out of their own half for some time now!
36 minIran finally break out of their own half as Rezaeian finds space in a wide position before delivering, but Ramos is on hand to head behind. Imagine the noise if Iran were to take the lead!
38 minIran might well be forced into a change here as their captain Hajsafi goes down, and he does not look comfortable. Indeed, there seems to be some movement on the Iran bench here.
39 minHajsafi is moving a little easier as he attempts to run off the injury.
39 minIran goalkeeper Beiranvand is rolling around following perceived contact from Diego Costa, but the referee is not taking any action. VAR? It is no surprise that the Atletico forward is involved!
40 minNothing in that for me, and it seems that no further action will be taken.
42 minAlba has another cross cleared from the left as Iran continue to defend their lines here.
44 minCosta volleys the ball straight out of play as Spain's frustration continues. Iran are just a few minutes away from completing their first task - getting through the first half at 0-0.
45+1 minWe are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the first period.
45+2 minCHANCE! Best chance of the half for Spain as Silva finds space inside the Iran box before striking towards goal, and his effort is deflected just wide of the Iran post.
45+3 minHALF-TIME: Iran 0-0 Spain
7.48pmSo there we have it; the referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Spain have absolutely dominated the match in terms of possession, but clear chances have been few and far between. Carlos Queiroz has this Iran team so well-drilled in a defensive area!
7.53pmSTATISTICS! Spain incredibly had more than 80% of the possession in the first period, while they managed 10 attempts. That said, just one of those efforts was on the Iran goal. Iran, meanwhile, had two attempts off target in the first 45 minutes. No yellow cards to report thus far in Kazan.
7.58pmBENCH WATCH! Interim Spain boss Hierro has a wealth of talent on his bench tonight, with the likes of Thiago, Asensio, Aspas, Rodrigo, Saul and Koke all capable of making a difference in the second 45 minutes. Iran, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Dejagah, Shojaei and Jahanbakhsh.
46 minRESTART! Iran resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
49 minAlba breaks down the left before delivering low into the Iran box, but Hosseini is on hand to clear once again. Silva is then dispossessed inside the box as Spain boss the possession here.
50 minCHANCES! Big chance for Spain as Busquets flicks a header towards Pique inside the Iran box, but the centre-back sees his effort cleared. Busquets then hits one from outside the box, and Iran's goalkeeper does well to push the ball behind under pressure!
52 minCHANCE! Isco fires over the crossbar following smart work from Carvajal. Spain are finally starting to find some space, which was just not the case in the first period.
53 minCLOSE! Oh my word! Iran thought that they had scored as the net rippled following a strike from Karim, but it was the side-netting! So close to the opening goal!
54 minGOAL! Iran 0-1 Spain (Costa)
55 minSpain make the breakthrough in the 54th minute as Costa turns inside the Iran box before Hosseini smashes the ball against the Atletico forward, and the ball drops into the corner!
56 minIt looked to be an own goal, but Costa will certainly claim that!
58 minAll happening at the moment as Isco delivers another deep free kick into the Iran box, and you do get the feeling that we will see more goals in the final 30 minutes of this football match.
60 minWIDE! Taremi heads an Amiri cross just wide of the Spain post from close range!
62 minIran win a free kick in a forward area as Ramos brings Taremi to the ground...
62 min... GOAL! Iran 1-1 Spain (Ezatolahi)
63 minIran appear to be level, or are they? VAR!
64 minEkatolahi smashed the ball home from close range, but was there an offside?!
64 minGOAL DISALLOWED! No goal for Iran! Offside!
66 minIran are coming out to play; there is no question about that. Spain are having to defend, but that will leave space down the other end of the field. We have a proper game on our hands here.
68 minSpain are preparing to introduce Koke for the final 20 minutes of this match.
69 minIran skipper Hajsafi is down receiving treatment once again.
69 minIRAN SUB! Hajsafi is replaced by Mohammadi for Iran.
70 minSpain look to bundle the ball over the Iran goal-line from close range, but the referee eventually blows for a free kick! Pique and Costa were in there, but Iran survive conceding a second.
71 minSPAIN SUB! Koke replaces Iniesta for Spain.
73 minYou do get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as we head for the final 15 minutes of action. Iran have to come out, and that will leave space for Spain down the other end.
75 minIRAN SUB! Jahanbakhsh replaces Karim for Iran.
76 minCHANCE! Taremi comes close to meeting a deep cross inside the Spain box, but the attacker just cannot make contact! Huge moment for Iran there, but Spain stay 1-0 ahead.
78 minIsco strikes a free kick into the Iran wall as the score stays 1-0 with 78 minutes on the clock.
79 minBOOKING! Amiri (Iran) is booked for a poor challenge on Carvajal.
80 minSPAIN SUB! Asensio replaces Vazquez for Spain.
82 minPossession football from Spain as Iran are forced to come further out of their defensive shape. Still a good 10 minutes of football to play in this match, and the result is far from certain.
83 minCHANCE! Incredible chance for Taremi as the number 17 rises highest inside the Spain box to meet a cross from the left, but he somehow plants the ball over the crossbar!
85 minThe noise has been deafening inside the stadium from the first whistle, and that remains the case. Iran have just passed up an incredible chance though, and they may not get another here.
87 minIRAN SUB! Amiri is replaced by Ghoddos for Iran.
89 minWonderful football from Spain in a wide position as they keep the ball away from Iran. Some of Isco's football has been magical tonight, and La Roja are closing on a huge three points here.
89 minSPAIN SUB! Rodrigo replaces Costa for Spain.
90+1 minPass, pass, pass from Spain as we head for stoppage time.
90+2 minWe are into the second of four additional minutes in Kazan.
90+2 minDe Gea claims a header from Azmoun as the clock ticks on here.
90+3 minBOOKING! Ebrahimi (Iran) is booked for a foul on Asensio.
90+4 minIran break clear down the right following a poor pass from Isco, but the cover is back.
90+5 minFULL-TIME: Iran 0-1 Spain
8.55pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Costa's goal seeing Spain beat Iran. La Roja have joined Portugal on four points in Group B, while Iran sit third on three points ahead of the final matchday. Thanks for joining our live coverage once again!
