Across their three games in Brazil, Iran demonstrated the defensive solidity that former Real Madrid manager Carlos Queiroz has brought to their national team. What they lacked was a goal threat, with Reza Ghoochannejhad’s consolation against Bosnia and Herzegovina their solitary goal. The addition of the “Iranian Messi” Sardar Azmoun, Eredivise top goalscorer Alireza Jahanbakhsh and an improved Ghoochannejhad has added some of the offensive nous they missed in Brazil, but even adding those attackers to their side may not be enough to make Iran a consistent threat to opposing defences.