Former world champions Spain squeezed past a dogged Iranian side (1-0) for their first win in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

In a Group B clash, a fortuitous goal from Diego Costa proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Although Spain won, the 2010 World Cup winners suffered a string of second-half scares.

Veteran Costa notched his third goal in two games when Ramin Rezaeian’s attempted clearance bounced off the Spaniard’s leg and into the net in the 54th minute.

Though Spain had besieged the Iranian goal in the first half, they were on the back foot for parts of the second, with Karim Ansarifard rifling into the side netting, and Saeid Ezatolahi having a goal ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

The result left Spain joint top of their group with Portugal on four points, but Iran close behind on three going into the third and final set of games. After two defeats, Morocco are out.