World Cup LIVE: Spain vs Iran latest score; David de Gea and Diego Costa start

Only one of these nations can qualify with a win and it is not the 2010 world champions

Spain showed enough in the Iberian derby to prove they have swiftly moved on from the departure of head coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament.

Now the star-studded side will be eager for a first victory.

Iran's first World Cup finals win in 20 years boosted confidence, but boss Carlos Queiroz lost Roozbeh Cheshmi to injury in what could be a significant blow.

SPAIN 0-0 IRAN

Iran XI: Beiranvand, Sadi, Ezatolahi, Pouraliganji, Omid, Karim, Amiri, Mehdi, Hosseini, Sardar, Ramin.

Spain XI: De Gea, Alba, Ramos, Pique, Carvajal, Inietsa, Busquets, Vazquez, Isco, Silva, Costa.

SPAIN 0-0 IRAN

10: Sergio Ramos given a ticking off inside 10 minutes. Not even nearly a personal best for the Spaniard, who I suspect will be booked at some point today.

9: Well this wasn’t in the script. Iran are going for it! Amiri does tremendously well to win a free-kick right on the byline, and the boys from the back trundle up… Pique rises highest to clear. Lively start.

SPAIN 0-0 IRAN

6: Spectacular. The Iran goalkeeper has just clean out three of his own players and Diego Costa to punch clear Disco’s cross. My autocorrect keeps changing Isco to Disco, but I’m okay with it.

3: How the hell do these Vuvuzela’s keep coming back? Those bloody things are indestructible. Oh, and a lovely sight before kick off as Gerard Pique picked up a little bird who had landed on the pitch. Awwww.

1: And we’re off. A clash between two nations with the fewest letters. What a time to be alive...

NATIONAL ANTHEMS…

18:58: I tell you what, these Spanish players look fired up. I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that they’ll respond emphatically to their opening 3-3 draw. Prediction? 4-0.

VINTAGE KEANE

18:54: Former Manchester united midfielder Roy Keane is dropping bombs on ITV this evening.

He was asked about the time Carlos Queiroz questioned his loyalty at Old Trafford, and responded: “One of my biggest regrets is that I should have ripped his head off.”

NOISE!

18:50: There’s some atmosphere tonight. The Iran supporters inside the Kazan Arena are drowning out the Spanish fans. 10 minutes until kick off.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Hector: What do Real Madrid and Spain see in Lucas Vazquez? Whenever I have seen him play he has been rubbish, and he keeps far better players out of the team.

Henry: Isco will be the Man of the Match today guys. You mark my words.

Luke: Hoping Iran beat Spain for my sweepstake. Saying that, I’ll go for a 4-0 win.

UNBEATEN…

18:40: Well you learn something new everyday.

Apparently Iran have only lost one competitive game since the 2014 World Cup, and that was a penalty shootout!

They came through 18 games of qualifying unbeaten and have lost four friendlies. Perhaps Spain should be taking these guys more seriously.

ULTIMATE XI…

18:30: Want to hear about 2010 World Cup winner Joan Capdevila’s Ultimate World Cup XI? Well I’m going to tell you anyway.

Capdevila has been speaking with bookmakers BetStars, and aside from naming Isco as Spain’s key player - he’s chosen to of Gareth Southgate’s side!

His Ultimate World Cup XI is as follows: Manuel Neuer, Kyle Walker, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Samuel Umtiti, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Eden Hazard and Harry Kane.

On Isco: “One of the players who can make the difference for Spain is Isco. It is time for him to deliver a knockout performance on this stage and to make his mark. If he plays well than Spain will do very well in this tournament.”

TEAM NEWS - SPAIN

18:28: Spain defender Dani Carvajal has been recalled for today’s World Cup match against Iran, replacing Nacho from the starting side that drew with Portugal, after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Fernando Hierro has also included forward Lucas Vazquez, with Koke making way as Spain's new coach seeks more dynamism to unlock a cagey Iran defence at Kazan Arena.

TEAM NEWS - IRAN

18:25: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has dropped captain Masoud Shojaei to the substitutes in a mild surprise, with the suspended Saeid Ezatolahi recalled and Ehsan Hajsafi to wear the captain's arm-band.

Defender Majid Hosseini replaces the injured centre back Rouzbeh Cheshmi as Iran seek a second successive win after their 1-0 victory over Morocco.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

JJ: Got to a point where I’m planning my life around fixtures like Portugal vs Morocco and Iran vs Spain, I love this game.

Joe: Am I the only one who thinks Iran might upset Spain? I’ve got a feeling in my stomach.

Arian: Will be a miracle for Iran to beat Spain. Iran’s lineup also suggests players being rested for Portugal game, maybe Queiroz is going for 0-0.

I recommend you go to the doctor, Joe. No chance!

THE STANDINGS…

18:20: Spain have only collected one point, but I think they are in the driving seat as far as winning Group B is concerned.

Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco means Spain simply have to put a few past them and Iran to fend off Cristiano Ronaldo’s side.

The winners will play either Russia or Uruguay, who will fight for top spot next Monday at 7pm.

KEEP THE FAITH

18:15: Fernando Hierro has kept faith with David de Gea.

The Manchester United goalkeeper was at fault for the second goal of Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Portugal.

It was a rare error from the usually impeccable 27-year-old and Hierro, insists it makes no difference to him.

"I have 23 players with their own character and you cannot treat them all the same," he said. "De Gea will play tomorrow, we trust him 100 per cent. In the last couple of years he is one of the two or three best goalkeepers in the world."

THE STARTING XI

18:10: And here are today’s line-ups. You’ll notice a couple of changes to Spain’s side with Koke and Nacho making way for Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez.

Iran XI: Beiranvand, Sadi, Ezatolahi, Pouraliganji, Omid, Karim, Amiri, Mehdi, Hosseini, Sardar, Ramin.

Spain XI: De Gea, Alba, Ramos, Pique, Carvajal, Inietsa, Busquets, Vazquez, Isco, Silva, Costa.

HAVE YOUR SAY

18:05: If you want to vent your frustrations, or discuss any issues in the world of football (within reason), then get in touch!

You can either comment at the bottom of the page or contact me via Twitter using the hashtag #ExpressSport.

WELCOME

18:00: Hello everyone, welcome to our LIVE coverage of the World Cup.

Did anyone just watch the Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia match? Good grief, I think nearly slipped into a coma.

I think we all expected Portugal and Uruguay to fill their boots this afternoon but we’ve seen just two goals. Spain will need to deliver tonight in this Group B showdown.

As for Iran, well Iran can actually secure qualification if they win tonight. Who’d have thunk it, eh?