Hierro admits Spain rode their luck on way to claiming top spot in Group B

Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2018 by PA

Spain boss Fernando Hierro admitted after the 2-2 draw with Morocco that his side were lucky to finish top of World Cup Group B and stressed the need for defensive improvement.

Hierro’s men were set to finish second in the pool, and face Group A winners Uruguay in the last 16, until a stoppage-time equaliser by substitute Iago Aspas.

Initially the flag was up for offside, but the goal, Spain’s second leveller of the contest, was subsequently given following a VAR review.

Hierro admits Spain rode their luck on way to claiming top spot in Group B — Iago Aspas netted Spain’s second equaliser in the dying seconds (Michael Sohn/AP)

With a late Iran goal seeing them hold Portugal 1-1, Spain and Portugal ended up level on five points in first and second place respectively, with goals scored putting the former ahead.

And, thus, it will be hosts Russia for La Roja in the last 16 while the Portuguese take on the Uruguayans.

Hierro, having succeeded the sacked, Real Madrid-bound Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament, has overseen a 3-3 draw with Portugal, a 1-0 win over Iran, and now this result.

And he said in his post-match press conference, streamed on FIFA’s website: “This entire group was a tough one and history bore it out.

“So the first conclusion I draw is that despite all these challenges, we emerged on top, so we need to look at the silver lining, think positive.

“Obviously we can improve and there are things that definitely need to be worked on.

“We will definitely be self-critical – (conceding) five goals in three matches is not the way forward, and it’s what I’ve told my players.”

Spain had gone 1-0 down in the 14th minute when Khalid Boutaib punished a mix-up between Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos, before drawing level five minutes later through Isco’s strike.

WHAT DRAMA.#ESP go through to face #RUS on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/DdrFnn3lLM
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 25, 2018

They survived scares after that when Boutaib almost took advantage of further slack defending as he was denied by David De Gea, and Nordin Amrabat’s shot hit the post, before Youssef En-Nesyri put Morocco 2-1 up in the 81st minute.

Hierro added: “I have to say that we were lucky to finish first.

“I’m going to repeat that our initial goal was to be at the top of the group and we’ve reached that goal.

“And now we need to be very demanding with ourselves and have very clearly in mind that if we concede so easily, it will be very difficult for us to reach our ultimate goal.”