Iran 1 - 1 Portugal: World Cup 2018, Group B result and match report
A dramatic end to the game in the Mordovia Arena saw Iran snatch a 1-1 draw with a late penalty but it's Portugal who progress in second place behind Spain.
Iran vs Portugal: World Cup 2018 Group B | match report
The outcome of this game is simple: Portugal achieved the draw they required against Iran to go through the the last 16 of the World Cup. The story of the game - of which the action of the Spain-Morocco match cannot be ignored - was far from simple, and pulled emotions of at least three of the four nations all over the place.
Portugal patience
For much of the ninety minutes in Mordovia, Fernando Santos' men were in control. Iran posed the occasional threat but had little prolonged possession, seemingly happy to sit deep, frustrate their opponents, and go long whenever the chance presented itself. It was the Asian side that needed the three points to qualify for the knockout phase, while a draw suited Portugal - because they didn't expect their other rivals for top spot in the group to drop the ball against already-eliminated Morocco.
Quaresma curler
The first half was lively enough and the pattern of play was consistent. The European champions looked a better unit than they had done on the previous two outings and probed for the opening, appearing relaxed that they had what it took to do the job required. Crosses were being thrown in from both sides - wingers Quaresma and Joao Mario encouraged to continue doing so after some less-than convincing handling from Beiranvand. And it was from a good crossing opportunity that the goal came. As the clock ticked into added time in the first half, Quaresma stepped inside the right-hand section of the area and struck it sweetly with the outside of his right foot, allowing a gentle curl to evade the diving, oustretched Iranian stopper, and bringing it nicely inside the far post.
Cristiano's penalty pain
With two goals now required for Iran to qualify, many expected the Queiroz team-talk to be more about giving it their all in an attempt, no matter how in vain that may prove to be. The second period though followed a similar pattern to the first, if anything with Portugal having more control. And a VAR-assisted penalty for Cristiano to slot home would have settled everything on the 51st minute. Beiranvand had other ideas and got down sharply to deny the Real Madrid man.
Late VAR decision for Iran
Although the penalty miss was disappointing for Portugal, who must have been hearing noises about Morocco doing them a favour in another part of Russia, the flow of the game remained much the same. That was until the final minutes. Iran moved their unit a few metres forward and attacks were starting to include more bodies in white shirts in the final third. But just as it looked to be too late, a crossed ball fell onto Cedric Soares' arm and VAR was brought in to help the referee make his decision. The ninety minutes were up. The finger pointed to the spot.
Karim Ansarifard showed class as he fired the dead ball into the top right corner, giving a rarely-troubled Rui Patricio no chance. At exactly the same time, Spain had a disallowed equaliser overturned with VAR's help, and now with both Iberian sides level on points, Spain would top the group having scored a goal more. There was still time for one heart-stopping moment as Taremi burst into the Portugal box and struck the ball into the side netting. Had he scored, Iran would be taking Portugal's place (and topping the group). He didn't so Cristiano and co. have a last 16 match against Group A winners Uruguay.
Iran vs Portugal: World Cup 2018 Group B | as it happened
Iran vs Portugal: World Cup 2018 Group B | preview
Portugal and Iran face off in Saransk tonight in the final round of matches in World Cup Group B, in what is likely be a straight fight for the right to go through to the last 16 alongside Spain, who play already-out Morocco in Kaliningrad at the same time.
A draw will be good enough for Portugal, who sit second in the group on four points, one ahead of the third-placed Iranians. Meanwhile, the Asians are most likely to need to win to progress, although a stalemate would also send both sides through - were leaders Spain to unexpectedly lose to Morocco by two goals or more.
Iran
For the first time ever - in what is their fifth appearance at a World Cup finals - Iran head into their last group-stage game still in with chance of making the knockout stages.
Led by head coach Carlos Queiroz, who this evening comes up against his native country, Iran were thankful for an injury-time Aziz Bouhaddouz own goal as they began their World Cup campaign by beating Morocco 1-0, but were less fortunate against Spain on Wednesday, pushing La Roja all the way but eventually finding themselves on the wrong end of the same scoreline.
After picking up a thigh injury in the narrow defeat to Spain, Ehsan Hajsafi is doubtful for Iran.
Portugal
So far in Russia, Portugal have been indebted to the astonishing goalscoring prowess of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has hit all four of their goals at the tournament.
He netted a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain in their opening Group B game - a treble which included a wonderful late free-kick to level the scores - then grabbed the only goal as the Portuguese edged Morocco 1-0 - despite a less than impressive all-round display.
Midfielder Joao Moutinho is a doubt due to illness, but left-back Raphael Guerreiro has recovered from a leg injury suffered in the victory over Morocco five days ago.