IR IRAN VS SPAIN ( 0 - 1 ) : LIVE UPDATE
First stage - Group B, Kazan Arena Kazan20 Jun 2018 - 21:00 Local time
Iran have put some excellent crosses into the box and Spain, for all their possession, are fortunate still to be ahead.
It could hardly be any more delicately balanced in Group B as we enter the final ten minutes. This is how the table stands with the scoreline as it is.
With so much at stake, it is no wonder. One more goal for Spain and they move top; one for Iran and it would deal a massive blow to the 2010 champions' hopes of qualifying.
Costa is now on 10 goals for Spain. Of the current team, only Silva (35), Iniesta (13) and Ramos (13) have more for La Roja
Although the goal was offside and Iran's celebrations cut short, that moment should give them confidence that they can cause Spain real problems.
S. EZATOLAHI (IR IRAN) IS RULED OFFSIDE, Despair for Iran as they think they have equalised only for the 'goal' to be disallowed - rightly as the VAR review proves - for offside.
Goalless draws not welcome Three goals in two matches - Diego Costa is on fire at this World Cup!
Spanish surge, La Roja look to have a little added urgency at the start of the second half, with first Pique and then Busquets coming close to breaking the deadlock.
Frustration grows, Just one shot on target for Spain so far. That stats tells a story. They simply cannot break through the massed ranks of Iranian defenders.
Clamping down, The referee is losing patience with the niggling fouls that are punctuating this match.
Defence v attack, Much of the game has been played in this area of the park, with most of the players packed tightly together.
Isco, meanwhile, is showing his class by dictating the play from the middle of the park.
Carvajal is back! Just weeks after his tearful exit from the Champions League final, he looks fit, sharp and is cutting out every potential counter-attack coming down his wing.
His players have been supremely disciplined so far. But the Iran coach is making sure they stay on their toes.
The atmosphere is electric and very pro-Iran. It has helped Queiroz's players to hold off Spain and even launch a few counter-attacks of their own.
With Iran defending deep and in numbers, Sergio Ramos is often leading the Spain attack well in the opposition half.
Spain might be favourites but most of the spectators here are Iran fans. Could that be a big advantage for Queiroz's side?
Iran can hardly get a touch of the ball at the moment as Spain completely dominate possession.
Bruising battle, Spain are dominating possession. But Iran are not here to make up the numbers and have shown themselves capable of counter-attacking dangerously.
The stage is set, And the game is just seconds away from kicking off.
Showing their colours, The fans are out in force in Kazan and they're already creating a colourful scene inside the stadium
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