Spain managed to edge past Iran with a 1-0 win in a World Cup Group B encounter at the Kazan Arena on Wednesday.

Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game when the ball was hit onto his shin before nestling in the back of the net in the 54th minute.

While the Spaniards dominated possession, it was Iran that looked the more threatening in the closing stages and had to be kept at bay.

BASIC STATS

Goals – 1

Shots – 18

Possession – 79%

Tackles – 8

Dribbles – 21

30-SECOND REPORT

Hierro set up his side in what looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Andres Iniesta alongside Sergio Busquets while Isco, David Silva and Lucas Vazquez made up the three behind front man Diego Costa.

Iniesta, however, operated further forward with Spain dominating possession, leaving Sergio Ramos to step up from the defensive line and support Busquets in central midfield, leading the duo to make the second and third most passes in the game (99 and 97) behind Isco (103).

TACTICAL TALKING POINT

Lack of genuine width 

Koke dropped out of the XI that faced Portugal with Vazquez coming in instead. The Real Madrid winger was presumably expected to provide some width down the right side and help stretch the Iranian defence but he had a disappointing outing.

He gave the ball away more than any other Spain player and got sucked into central areas. When he did get wide, his crosses (4) failed to find a team-mate. The full-backs did act as auxiliary wingers but the ball wasn’t zipped into them with any urgency. Spain dwelled on possession through the middle and seemed only to play it wide when short of options in the centre. The lack of aerial threat from open play didn’t help matters.

VERDICT

His side did dominate play but were fortunate with the goal. Hierro seemed reluctant to make changes to alter the course of the game. Marco Asensio only came on with 10 minutes to play when they could’ve used his pace and direct running to create inroads that their intricate passing could not, and pull players out of position.

Rating – 5/10