Spain players pose for a team group photo before the match. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) - Spain came through a tough World Cup opener against Portugal in impressive style as the aftershocks of the sacking of their coach were still reverberating and they will need to keep the pedal firmly to the floor when they meet Iran on Wednesday.
The thrilling 3-3 draw with Portugal in Sochi eased concerns that Julen Lopetegui's sudden departure would derail Spain's campaign and reports coming out of the camp indicate an upbeat mood under his makeshift replacement Fernando Hierro.
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