Hierro’s Spain will attempt to break down Iran’s defensive wall in Tuesday’s last game in Kazan at 8pm.
After the first round of matches, Iran was the unexpected leader of Group B. I can’t escape the notion that Queiroz’s team plays the same football as Santos’ Portugal. That’s exactly how they got the result against Morocco. Portugal finds ways to survive and so did Iran five days ago. Spain did not have the ideal start, but after the coaching turmoil they went through, they likely won’t be disappointed by the outcome in a game in which they shot themselves in the foot. A needless foul by Nacho, a rare de Gea mistake and another needless foul cost them the win. However, scoring three goals against one of the best defenses in the world is definitely a reason to be optimistic, especially considering the circumstances.
Nacho was solid at right back, with his breathtaking second half strike making up for tripping Ronaldo in the opening minutes. Diego Costa for once looked comfortable in a Spanish uniform, while Isco was very active, even making Iniesta look replaceable.
Koke and Sergio Busquets are both incredible footballers, but they don’t mash well. Their incompatibility made the Spanish midfield look worse than it should be. There are two solutions to the problem. Either play with one defensive midfielder and include Thiago Alcantara or another attacker in the lineup, or, play Saul Niguez alongside his Atletico Madrid teammate. Yes, it’s a risk taking out a player like Busquets from the starting lineup, but when it comes to the national team, everything is allowed and sacrifices are needed for the sake of the team.
There’s nothing I can say about Iran we don’t already know. They are a compact, defensive-minded squad that has a couple of players who could cause trouble when given the chance in Rubin Kazan’s Sardar Azmoun and Az Alkmaar’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Querioz’s tactic couldn’t be more transparent. The question is whether Spain can find a way to disturb it. Morocco couldn’t, but Renard’s boys are nowhere near the level of Hierro’s. Expect to see a lot of going round in circles trying to find space by Spain’s players, with a 70-80% possession a high likelihood. A goal in Iran’s net will kill the uncertainty and make the game even more unbearable to watch. Thats is unless Spain decides to go into destruction mode and launch the fireworks.
Prediction
Iran 0-2 Spain
