TEAM NEWS
Iran has suffered a blow with defender Rouzbeh Cheshmi ruled out of the rest of the tournament after suffering a muscle injury in training.
Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh is set to replace the 24-year-old alongside Morteza Pouraliganji in defence.
Spain could be unchanged with striker Diego Costa’s performance in the 3-3 draw with Portugal likely to mean he keeps his place ahead of Iago Aspas. Iran tops the group after one game, having beaten Morocco 1-0.
IRAN LINE UP
1 Alireza Beiranvand (Goalkeeper)
8 Morteza Pouraliganji (Defender)
3 Ehsan Haji Safi (Defender)
23 Ramin Rezaeian (Defender)
19 Majid Hosseini (Defender)
9 Omid Ebrahimi (Midfielder)
11 Vahid Amiri (Midfielder)
6 Saeid Ezatolahi (Midfielder)
20 Sardar Azmoun (Forward)
17 Mehdi Taremi (Forward)
10 Karim Ansarifard (Forward)
SPAIN LINE UP
1 David De Gea (Goalkeeper)
2 Daniel Carvajal (Defender)
3 Gerard Piqué (Defender)
15 Sergio Ramos (Defender)
18 Jordi Alba (Defender)
21 David Silva (Midfielder)
5 Sergio Busquets (Midfielder)
6 Andrés Iniesta (Midfielder)
11 Lucas Vázquez (Midfielder)
22 Isco (Midfielder)
19 Diego Costa (Forward)
OVERVIEW
Iran’s victory over Morocco, their first at a World Cup finals since 1998 and only their second in five tournaments, means they head Group B.
There is a long way to go before they can think about qualifying for the knock-out stages, though. Any hopes of advancing now rest on being able to spring a surprise in this fixture and their final group game against Portugal on 25 June.
However, rising above adversity has been a theme for Iran during qualification and the build-up to this tournament.
First-choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, 25, slept rough earlier in his career while trying to establish himself and Nike withdrew its supply of boots to the Iranian players before the World Cup because of new US sanctions.
Spain came into the event as one of the big favourites, having dominated in major football tournaments between 2008 and 2012.
But coach Julen Lopetegui’s sacking on the eve of their opening match last week threw a spanner in the works and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo rubbed further salt into the wounds with his heroic late equaliser in Sochi.
Spain made a shock exit in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup following a humiliating 5-1 defeat by the Netherlands, so they will be keen to avoid a similar fate this year.
VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz: “If the game against Morocco was the World Cup final for us, the game against Spain will be the Universe Cup final.
“It was not a miracle that we won. What can happen once in a while is a group of people, when they are united, can create super stories and super things. Our attitude is to try and make the impossible possible.”
Spain midfielder Isco: “It’s a crucial match that will determine our World Cup destiny. We want to score from the opening minute, even though that won’t be easy.
“We will stick to the style that defines us as a team, but we have to pass the ball around a lot more and maintain possession. If we play quickly across the pitch, the chances will come. I hope we score quickly.”
Source: BBC News
