Spain boss Fernando Hierro admitted after the 2-2 draw with Morocco that his side were lucky to finish top of 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 last-gasp equaliser by substitute Iago Aspas. Now the Spaniards will face hosts Russia in the Last 16.

Hierro has overseen an exciting 3-3 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, a 1-0 win over Iran, and now this result. And he said: '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 were lucky to finish first, so we need to look at the silver lining.