Player ratings: Isco the motor as Spain see off Iran

Here are the Spain player ratings from their 1-0 win against Iran:

DE GEA (6) Hierro backed his goalkeeper after his mistake against Portugal. He responded well, playing with personality although it's also true he didn't have a huge amount to do. 

CARVAJAL (5) Could tell he's not played for a while as he returned from injury. Didn't offer his usual solutions on the right flank but will benefit from the minutes. 

PIQUE (5) Was the last man as Spain committed bodies forward against a deep Iran. However, Azmoun, Iran's reference in attack, didn't let him breathe. Nutmegged him late on to set up a good chance. 

RAMOS (6) Understood from the off that he had to step forward and play a slightly different role, almost as another midfielder. Didn't stuggle in defence as he played with intelligence. 

JORDI ALBA (5) Fatigued. Gave the sensation that he's not fresh enough to expolit his biggest strengths. Wasn't quick and was sloppy on the balll. 

BUSQUETS (7) Did what he does for Barça, organising things and being a reference to the play in midfield. Even came close to scoring, drawing a good save from the Iran goalkeeper. 

INIESTA (6) There's no defence which Andres can't open up. He knows the methods as if he wrote them all himself. Didn't panic or rush and kept Spain pushing and pressing in the right way. 

LUCAS VAZQUEZ (5) Hierro picked him to open up the pitch but it didn't give the expected result. Lacked a spark. 

ISCO (8) Was Spain's best player. Didn't stop moving, switching flanks and trying to invent. 

SILVA (6) Didn't have an easy task against a closed off Iran side. Tried different things and had chances to score, although not his greatest Spain performance. 

DIEGO COSTA (6) Scored the only goal of the game but admitted he had a bit of luck as it bounced back off him on its way it. Was a difficult night against six Iran defenders. 

SUBSTITUTES 

KOKE (6) Iran were having their best spell and Spain needed to balance the midfield. Koke came on and did that job. 

MARCO ASENSIO (5) Came on for 10 minutes and had little time to make an impression. 

RODRIGO (6) Made his World Cup debut as a late substitute.