Gerard Pique was a man of peace and love to start Spain’s match against Iran on Wednesday. He gently helped a little birdie off the pitch before the opening whistle. By the end of the match, Vahid Amiri’s Pique nutmeg left the Spanish defender shaking his head, just happy La Furia Roja escaped with a 1-0 victory over Team Melli.
Spain racked up more than three quarters of the possession, didn’t allow a shot on target and scored three points in World Cup Group B action to jump to the top of the table (alongside Portugal). The performance on the whole was as serene as Gerard Pique lifting a small bird off the playing surface at the start of the match.
My favorite moment of the World Cup so far. At least one Spain center back cares about life. pic.twitter.com/OtfVUG68d9
— Travis Yoesting (@TravisYoesting) June 20, 2018
But late in the match, Amiri was not so kind, and the Pique nutmeg will give the Barcelona defender nightmares. Iran nearly equalized on the play.
#Iran lost the game in #IRNESP, but they'll always have Vahid Amiri ruining Gerard Piqué's career. First really great nutmeg of #WorldCup2018!#Tekkers #IRN #TeamMelli pic.twitter.com/aDv6VYw2Jd
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) June 20, 2018
Sadly for Iran, Pique and Spain had the last laugh. Diego Costa scored a real poopsicle of a goal in the 54th minute and the 2010 World Cup champion was able to hold on in the end.
#MundialTelemundo Así lo narró @CopanAlvarez ¿Autogol o no? ¡La fortuna juega a favor de #ESP y tras un rebote en el área, @diegocosta abre el marcador frente a #IRN pic.twitter.com/itV8UmiuxR
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 20, 2018
No one would argue Spain didn’t deserve the victory. Racking up 78 percent of possession means La Roja certainly were the superior team on the day. But the Pique nutmeg and a goal called back for offside showed Iran didn’t back down.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Por unos momentos gritamos el gol! El VAR entró de nuevo en acción y anuló la anotación de #IRN sobre #ESP ¿Estuvo correcta la acción? pic.twitter.com/lRFo74swqI
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 20, 2018
Perhaps the GIF that best sums up Iran’s day was Milad Mohammadi attempting a flip throw-in, only to abort at the last second.
— The18 (@the18com) June 20, 2018
Almost.
At least no matter what Iran does against Portugal in the third match of the group stage, Team Melli will always have the Pique nutmeg.
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