Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Medellin: Spain proved to be too strong for Iran as the Asian side bowed down to the two-time world champions 5-1 in their 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign opener on Monday (local time).
Spain made a statement of intent with a goal in the opening minute and quickly raced to a 3-0 half-time lead in what was a high-quality contest.
In truth, the contest was far more even than the score-line indicated, but the European champions displayed clinical efficiency in front of goal.
Iran’s profligacy extended to the penalty spot where they twice missed spot-kicks in the first half, while Spain’s impressive goalkeeper Paco Sedano was kept busy making several impressive blocks.
Lozano crashed home the first goal on the one-minute mark, and the Asian champions somehow failed to equalise in a high-tempo opening half. Sedano made a double save from Mahdi Javid, while Hamid Ahmadi crashed an effort against the frame of the goal.
The Spaniards soon doubled their lead after Miguelin set-up Jose Ruiz for a cool finish, while Aicardo gave his side a three-goal advantage prior to the interval.
Miguelin scored the goal of the match with a stunning volley from a corner, while there was a fifth for Spain as Aicardo scored his second.
There was belated joy for Iran as Ali Hassan Zadeh netted from the penalty spot either side of Spain’s second-half strikes.
Iran will have the chance to atone against Morocco in their next match on Thursday (local time).
Iran scorer:
Ali Hassan Zadeh (27’12” pen)
Source: FIFA.com, FIFA/Getty Images