Iran had a tournament to remember, topping its group with nine points (beating Germany 4-0 in the process) and reaching the quarter-final stage, where it bowed out to Spain, who has since reached the final.

Arguably its finest performer was midfield wonder Younes Delfi, who netted two of the four goals against Germany and won a penalty against Costa Rica.

He was absent for the quarter-final tussle with Spain; would it have been a different story were he available?

Spain will face England in the final match on Saturday while Mali play Brazil in third-placed match.

The European champion will play Mali in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Just 13 minutes into the match, Abel Ruiz opened Iran’s goal on a rebound.

Left-footed Sergio Gomez scored in the hour mark with a long-distance strike.

Seven minutes later Ferran Torres made it 3-0.

Saeid Karim scored one for Iran in the 69th minute but it was not enough.

Iran had earned four successive wins against Guinea (3-1), Germany (4-0), Costa Rica (3-0) and Mexico (2-1).

The Iranian team will face powerhouse Spain in the competition’s quarter-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, India on Sunday.

Vargas will be assisted by his compatriots Juan Pablo Montaño and José Alberto Antelo in this match.

Iran started the campaign with a 3-1 win over Guinea and defeated Germany 4-0 and Costa Rica 3-0 in its following matches.

Abbas Chamanian’s boys defeated Mexico 2-1 in Round of 16.

Iran defeated Mexico 2-1 to book a place in the tournament’s quarterfinals, where they will face European champion Spain.

“You can wait for more surprises, however we know that the toughest match in the World Cup starts now,” Chamanian said.

“I had said that the match against Mexico would be very tough. We predicted this,” said the 54-year-old coach.

Chamanian ensured that his side will be ready for the European champion in what will be its first-ever quarterfinal showing in the marquee event.

“After group stages, we organized and built our team. From the tactical aspect and from knowledge of the opponent we build again. And also from the mental aspect. Because we need to forget every match we played until now,” Chamanian said.

“Mexico was a tough team but we could have won the match with more goals. Altogether, I am satisfied with the way my boys played against Mexico,” he stated.

In the match which was held at the Fatorda Stadium in Margo, India, Mohammad Sharifi converted a very confident penalty in the seventh minute of the match.

Allahyar Sayyadmanesh scored his tournament’s third goal four minutes later. The forward gathered a long ball, turned and chipped his shot over the frustrated Mexican goalkeeper Cesar Lopez.

In the 37th minute, Roberto De La Roda found the back of Iran’s net from a rebound.

Iran has enjoyed a good run in this tournament, beating Guinea (3-1), Germany (4-0) and Costa Rica (3-0) to top Group C.

Abbas Chamanian’s boys will meet European champion Spain in Kochi on 22 October.

Iran qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 16 with three wins over Guinea, Germany and Costa Rica.

Chamanian’s boys will face Mexico or Chile in the next stage on Tuesday.

”We have picked up nine out of nine points in the group stages, but the most important thing we must think about from now is the next round” Chamanian said.

“Indeed, our attack has been great but our defense also deserves all the praise it can get. We have conceded only one goal in the tournament and did not allow any clear opportunities to our opponents, this is something we can build on for our future opponents as well,” he added.

”We must not forget that we are not the only team that finished with nine points. Winning all three games does not make us automatic title contenders, there are still a lot of good teams that we must respect. However, it is still a very important achievement for the team and players,” Chamanian concluded.

They played against each other at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, India and it was Iran who emerged victorious.

Iran finished runner-up at the AFC U-16 Championship while Guinea upset the odds at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing third.

Allahyar Sayyad gave Iran the lead just before the hour mark with a superb curling shot from outside the area.

Mohammad Sharifi converted a penalty to double Iran’s lead after Cherif Camara was sent off after making a harsh tackle on the Iranian striker in the penalty area.

Saeid Karimi added a third in the 90th minute and Fandje Toure pulled a goal back for Guinea.

Iran will face Germany on Tuesday and Guinea play Costa Rica.