Spain are facing a must-win situation already as they take on Iran in Wednesday’s prime-time match at the World Cup.
Spain may have provided plenty of drama already on and off the pitch, but thanks to their opening day draw against Portugal, a most entertaining 3-3 affair, they are currently just third and need all three points today to head into the final match with some level of comfort.
Portugal beat Morocco 1-0 earlier today to temporarily rise to the top of the group. Iran also beat Morocco 1-0 in the first game and were thus group leaders after the first round of group matches. A win for them would just about guarantee a spot in the knockout round.
Here we go.
Iran starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
Beiranvand | Haji Safi, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Ramin | Ezatolahi, Omid | Amiri, Mehdi, Karim | Sardar
Substitutes from: rest of the squad
Spain starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
De Gea | Alba, Ramos, Pique, Carvajal | Iniesta, Busquets | Lucas Vazquez, Isco, Silva | Diego Costa
Substitutes from: rest of the squad
Date / Time: Wednesday, June 20, 2018, 19:00 BST; 2pm EDT
Venue: Kazan Arena, Kazan
Referee: Andrés Cunha (Uruguay)
On TV: ITV 1 (UK); Fox, Telemundo (USA); elsewhere
Streaming online: ITV Hub (UK); FOX Sports Go, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo; Sling World Cup (USA)