Spain ensured qualification from Group B at Russia 2018 with a narrow win over Iran on Wednesday night.
Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game, netting a somewhat fortuitous rebound on 54 minutes in the face of a valiant defensive effort.
But VAR was to play a significant role again when an equaliser for the Iranians was disallowed for offside after some initial celebrations.
Another major talking point was Milad Mohammadi’s attempt at an acrobatic throw-in with not long left to play, which the Iran defender chose to abort at the last moment.
These were the best of the tweets and jokes from Iran 0-1 Spain:
Spain has had 127% possession at the end of the first half. #IRAESP
— Indranil Das Blah (@indranildasblah) June 20, 2018
#IRAESP I'll sum it up for you: iran building the wall trump wishes he could build, spain getting extremely frustrated because they can't do anything against 10 defenders , and de gea having dinner with the fans then taking a nap.
— Alex (@alex8oa) June 20, 2018
Maybe somebody can run one of these out to De Gea in time for the second half. #IRAESP #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JSmfRt02Jt
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) June 20, 2018
Iran should be reported to FIFA #IRAESP pic.twitter.com/Req4LZErX3
— Iyke Shedrack (@Iyke_9th) June 20, 2018
I wonder if Iran has a booming film industry cuz all these players are actors. #IRAESP
— Cynthia Adarkwa (@CynthiaAdarkwa) June 20, 2018
There have been a lot of players who copy famous moments in games and TV shows, I think Beiranvand was watching family guy #IRAESP pic.twitter.com/clO09YH7Az
— George Thornton (@thornton_geo) June 20, 2018
This ref.. #IRASPA #IRAESP pic.twitter.com/ZtUOT1ByFF
— Pirate Angel (@Fantastic__Mr) June 20, 2018
When you think you’ve scored but end up alone in bed at 3am eating KFC #IRAESP pic.twitter.com/5IvfZrhGAo
— Michael Johnstone (@M1ch43ljo) June 20, 2018
When your mum asks if you want a pizza for dinner and then tells you there's one in the freezer #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/c0JTarULO4
— Goal (@goal) June 20, 2018
I LOVE/HATE VAR (please remove accordingly dependent on result) #IRAESP
— Tom Rawle (@trawle91) June 20, 2018
This VAR will cause fight one day #IRAESP
— Omo Akure (@JohnOdedeji) June 20, 2018
Let’s take a moment to console our brother from Iran 🇮🇷 #IRAESP 😪😪 pic.twitter.com/D91xzXT9Wr
— ‘Debola (@iamDe_bola) June 20, 2018
Iran's goal was legitimate, but it had to be excluded due to sanctions #IRNSPA
— Sphinx of Black Quartz (@JinnAndJuiceXSS) June 20, 2018
How this year’s #WorldCup will be remembered… #IRAESP #WorldCup18 pic.twitter.com/qsbBvU8bFO
— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) June 20, 2018
That’s so unlucky. Iran couldn’t have Khomeini closer to scoring #IRNSPA
— Neal Underwood (@neal_sousbois) June 20, 2018
them: HEY thats Piqué!
me, an intellectual: HEY that's Shakira's boyfriend!#worldcup #IRAESP pic.twitter.com/WV6NAjVl0p— Sascha (@saschawh) June 20, 2018
"Diego Costa looks like he came straight out of the Flinstones."#IRAESP
— sus boy (@BruhDawg) June 20, 2018
them: What's wrong?
me:#worldcup #IRAESP pic.twitter.com/zOaf9q8LtJ— Sascha (@saschawh) June 20, 2018
Iranian women are welcome in English stadiums ✌️❤️ #IRAESP pic.twitter.com/50JKrUYC3U
— PAUL WILLY NICHOLLS (@NichollsNick) June 20, 2018
Onnnnnly joking. #iran #IRAESP #IRASPA #RussiaWorldCup2018 #RussiaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/yA5ivz0M0l
— Matt Shovlar (@MattS_14) June 20, 2018
Replay of that Iran throw-in #IRNSPA pic.twitter.com/PUzALElWpQ
— Football Burp ⚽ (@FootballBurp) June 20, 2018
Iranian player: allah let me do this
Allah: #IRAESP pic.twitter.com/wc2iyFGXRy— Ali Hatake (@Alicham_21) June 20, 2018
Wow! I've just found out if you turn the sound down on #IRNSPA your headache goes away.
— Jill (@Scotwriter) June 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/SpillerOfTea/status/1009516034255138816
#IRNESP? Nah, we prefer #IRNSPA 💆♂️ pic.twitter.com/3hkzGWqHrL
— IRN-BRU (@irnbru) June 20, 2018
You know what’s great about football?
Absolutely CUNT ALL now you VAR freaks have got your way. Fuck off back to your video games, sad twats #IRNSPA
— Grant Johnson (@Grant_Johnson87) June 20, 2018
I watched a few minutes of tonights game and than I did what any sane person would do: Iran. #IRASPA #IRNSPA #IRNESP
— Evert Kwok (@evertkwok) June 20, 2018
How do I explain to my 5 year old son that this was a grown man’s idea at the 94th minute to keep his country in the World Cup pic.twitter.com/uAUfW55KRE
— Jamie (@jmemc10) June 20, 2018