David De Gea couldn’t hide his reaction to Gerard Pique getting nut-megged

Patrick McCarry

He was livid.

Spain collected three points by defeating Iran 1-0 in their group game, on Wednesday night, but it was a close-run thing.

Fernando Hierro’s team bossed the first half against Iran but they did not have it all their own way after the break. Having sat back and invited Spain on, Iran were then forced to break out of their half and press for an equaliser after Diego Costa’s fortunate goal.

They thought they had levelled the score only for the VAR to intervene and rule an offside call against them.

On Carlos Queiroz’ side pressed and they came mighty close to making it 1-1 when Vahid Amiri sublimely nut-megged Gerard Pique and whipped in a cross for Mehdi Taremi at the back-post.

The cross was so sweet that all Taremi had to do was cushion it in but he went for power and headed over.

"Nuts…" shouts Vahid Amiri, as he puts it through Pique's legs before setting up Mehdi Taremi at the back post. So close to an Iran equaliser.#RTEsoccer

Updates: https://t.co/PnssG56WTv pic.twitter.com/u7ACCyvvXb

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 20, 2018

The Pique Tower pic.twitter.com/MEPId0bigG

— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) June 20, 2018

De Gea was fuming with Pique for straying too far out wide and allowing himself to be ‘megged with far too much ease.

TV cameras cut away soon after, but not before we got to see De Gea let out a roar at the Barcelona defender and, turning away, curse to himself. The 27-year-old rarely looks rattled or barks at his defence but he was clearly upset at such a late chance being offered up with ease.

Credit: RTE

Having conceded three goals in the draw with Portugal, the Manchester United goalkeeper was doubtless on edge and eager to keep a clean sheet.

Once the final whistle went, De Gea and Pique embraced and the ‘keeper set off to console some of the gutted Iranians.