Kazan: Spanish playmaker Isco said Tuesday that the match Wednesday against Iran will determine their World Cup destiny as they seek to register their first win in Russia following a gripping 3-3 draw against Portugal in their campaign opener.
“It’s a crucial match which will determine our World Cup destiny,” said Isco. “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,” said the Real Madrid midfielder.
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
Isco
On the other hand, Iran kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win against Morocco, thanks to a late own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz, piling the pressure on Spain at the Kazan Arena.
Coach Carlos Queiroz has conceded that Iran now face one of the biggest challenges in their World Cup history, but maintained they can make the impossible possible. Having coached Spanish clubs, Queiroz is well aware of the weaknesses that their opposition have. The question, however, is whether he has the talent at his disposal to exploit those deficiencies.
“If the game against Morocco was the World Cup final for us, the game against Spain will be the Universe Cup final,” joked the former Real Madrid coach.
“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,” he added.
Iran have never beaten a European side at a World Cup, their only previous victory being a 2-1 win over the United States in France in 1998