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.
Carvajal had the game’s first half-chance in the fourth minute, but the right-back’s effort from an advanced position was always too high.
Silva had Spain’s best chance of the first period in the closing stages, but the attacker saw his attempt deflected wide of the post as Iran’s rear-guard action saw the two teams head down the tunnel at 0-0.
Karim Ansarifard smashed one into the side-netting of the Spain goal in the 53rd minute as Iran came close, but Quieroz’s side fell behind in unfortunate circumstances less than one minute later.
The goal was given to Costa, but the Atletico Madrid forward needed a huge slice of luck as Iran defender Majid Hosseini smashed the ball against the 29-year-old inside the box, and it dropped into the bottom corner of the net.
Spain had the ball for the majority of the match, and that was also the case in the latter stages as they closed out the contest to secure all three points. Hierro’s team will finish their group campaign against Morocco on June 25, while Iran take on Portugal on the same night.
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