World cup: Spain beat Iran 1-0 in a hard-fought match

They were never more enthusiastic than when the goalkeeper Ali Bieranvand got involved. Any booted clearance drew roars of approval; simple catches were celebrated to the rafters. When he actually made a save, firing to his left to beat away a Sergio Busquets drive four minutes into the second half, it was as though Xerxes himself had materialised, hand cupped to his ear, to demand yet greater delirium.