KAZAN, Russia -- Three quick thoughts from Spain's 1-0 World Cup group-stage win over Iran at the Kazan Arena on Wednesday.
1. Costa's fluke edges Spain closer to last 16
It has been a World Cup of strange bobbles, ricochets and bounces, and this time it was Spain's turn to profit. Diego Costa knew little about the early second-half goal that broke Iran's resistance, which had threatened to turn a frustrating night into a hugely damaging one. But they all count and, while Iran could point to another hard-luck story after Saeid Ezatolahi's effort was ruled out for offside, the 2010 winners did enough to move to the brink of the knockout stage.