Despite Spain's 1-0 victory the Iranian fans are the happier of the two sides with hopes of qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages still very much alive.
Iran fans praised the fighting spirit of their team although some thought they needed to attack more.
Photo by FIFA
A goal by Saeid Ezatolahi was ruled out for offside with the video assistant referee (VAR) being used to confirm the call on the field, while Karim Ansarifard had earlier hammered into the side netting.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz had rung in the changes, dropping captain Masoud Shojaei and forward Alireza Jahanbakhsh to the bench, while recalling holding midfielder Ezatolahi from suspension and promoting Mehdi Taremi.
Photo by FIFA
Iran were brilliant in defence for much of the night.
The result left Spain joint top of their group with Portugal on four points, with Iran close behind on three going into the third and final set of games. After two defeats, Morocco are out.
After a match played out to a deafening blare from vuvuzela horns from a huge army of Iranian fans, Spain will feel relieved to have emerged with maximum points.
