For a brief moment, as Kazan Arena erupted all around them, it seemed that Iran had scored. An Iranian free kick was headed off Saeid Ezatolahi, who corralled the loose ball and dispatched it into the back of the net. But after a review by the video assistant referee, it was confirmed that Ezatolahi was offside.

Another near equalizer would have been one of the goals of the tournament. Skipping along parallel to the touchline, Vahid Amiri nutmegged Pique before floating a perfect cross toward the back post. Mehdi Taremi flew in and thumped the ball with his head, but it went over.

After two matches, it’s hard to know what to think of either team. Iran has a stout defense, but the attack that had looked moribund against Morocco was dangerous when they finally went forward against Spain. Meanwhile, Spain would’ve soundly beaten Portugal if it weren’t for Ronaldo’s heroics, yet the Spaniards struggled to break down Iran.

Then again, that is how it has been for Spain since they won the European Championship in 2008. All but the strongest teams are afraid to commit attackers forward against them, and so Spanish matches are an exercise in waiting for them to unlock a defense.

On Wednesday night it wasn’t tiki-taka, brilliant interplay or a satisfying one-two that won it for Spain — though at times all of those were on display — but Diego Costa’s knee and a lucky bounce. Sometimes that’s what you need.