Iran vs Portugal, LIVE World Cup 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo misses VAR penalty - Latest score, goals and updates plus prediction, how to watch online, team news, line-ups
Follow all the action in the final games of Group B
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Portugal are emerging as a side very likely to go far in the tournament and have a chance to show strong signs of intent against Iran. The Selecao will face either Russia or Uruguay in the round of 16 and are bidding to finish above bitter rivals Spain in the process.
Iran, who have nothing to play for, are likely to try and sit back and frustrate in a similar way to how they played when they lost 1-0 to Spain after playing six across the back line.
Cristiano Ronaldo is vying for the Golden Boot with Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku and will be itching to put a few past Portugal’s inferior opponents to bolster his tally.
Follow all the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
What time is it?
Iran vs Portugal kicks off at 19:00 at Saransk’s Mordovia Arena.
Where can I watch it?
BBC will be showing live coverage on BBC 1 and online on the BBC Sport website.
Odds:
Iran: 5/1
Portugal: 4/6
Draw: 5/2
Prediction:
2-0. Iran proved they can be a stubborn defence to score past against Spain and are likely to play similar tactics against Portugal. The difference will be this time they have less motivation to keep their opponents out, and Portugal have Ronaldo who is proving he can win games on his own.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Ehsan Haji Safi lead their teams out in Saransk, where each team forms a line for the national anthems.
The anthems have been sung, the coin has been tossed, handshakes have been exchanged. It's time for the football.
KICK-OFF: At the Mordovia Arena and at the Kaliningrad Stadium, we are underway. Spain, up against eliminated Morocco, are in pole position to top Group B, but Portugal - and even Iran - are waiting, hoping, to seal their path through to the knockout stages.
3 mins: Iran 0 Portugal 0: It's vuvuzela-a-go-go in Saransk amid a lively opening. Ronaldo, obviously, has just registered the game's first attempt, taking charge of Joao Mario's flick, bursting in from the left and thumping a shot straight at Ali Beiranvand.
7 mins: Iran 0 Portugal 0: It's been all Portugal in possession so far, but Iran have just showed they can threaten on the counter. A brilliant flick out wide by the lone striker, Sardar Azmoun, had Alireza Jahanbakhsh on the sprint down the right. The midfielder's centre is aimed at Vahid Amiri arriving on the edge of the box, but the resulting shot is well wide.
8 mins: Spain 0 Morocco 0: A real let off for Spain, and especially Pique, who has just dived in two-footed on Khalid Boutaib with both sets of studs showing. The Barcelona defender gets a touch on the ball first, which made have saved him from any punishment, but his follow through certainly catches the striker on the ankle. Referee Ravshan Irmatov didn't signal for a foul at the time. but it seems incredible that VAR do not seem willing to take a further look at that as the forward receives treatment.
14 mins: GOAL! SPAIN 0 MOROCCO 1:
There's a shock on the cards in Kaliningrad! Khalid Boutaib, back on his feet after that Pique challenge, has given already eliminated Morocco the lead against the 2010 world champions. An uncharacteristic mix-up between Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos where neither claimed possession of the ball allowed the striker to nip in and race through on goal. David de Gea stuttered off his line to narrow the angle, but Boutaib kept his cool to sidefoot past the Spanish goalkeeper.
19 mins: GOAL! SPAIN 1 MOROCCO 1:
That's more like what we've come to expect from Spain and Andres Iniesta! The legendary midfielder took charge of some lovely build-up play on the edge of the Morocco area to drive past a defender and towards the byline from where his cut back was perfect for Isco. The Real Madrid forward took one touch to steady himself before slamming an equaliser into the roof of Munir's goal. Spain were behind for less than five minutes!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments