Supp. Thirteen 'VAR from Perfect'

For the first time in Russia, the VAR discussion has come to the fore as an admirable Iranian side held Portugal to a goal a piece after being awarded a 93rd penalty under lights at the Mordovia Arena. The Portuguese will end the group stages in second place equal with Spain who also scrounged a draw together against Morocco. Portugal’s 508 passes when compared to Iran’s 131 paint an apt image of the Ronaldo-led side dominating affairs; and they did, for the most part. We saw the opposite to what has been evident in the previous two bows Portugal have made so far, in that Ronaldo looked poor. After dragging his side through the last two games with magnificent performances, Ronaldo not only missed a penalty, but should have been sent off.

Iranian manager Carlos Queiroz was furious after the game, and rightfully so. An elbow in the face to Iran defender Pouraliganji was only gifted a yellow card, despite the VAR picking it up and alerting referee Enrique Caceres. Calls were for a red card, as per the recommendation when a deliberate elbow to an opponent’s face is picked up, but he did not receive one. With that, Portugal were thrown a lifeline which they almost dropped, but unfortunately the vibrant Iranian supporters will be going home with their national side.

Ricardo Quaresma scored his first of the tournament to make the Portuguese dominance tangible when he notched a strike worthy of the end of tournament highlight reel. The Besiktas winger hit the ball in a cultured manner with the outside of his right foot, sending it across the face of goal and into the top corner beyond the reach of Iran’s goalkeeper. The wingers strike would prove to be the last tangible Portuguese movement on the score sheet despite Ronaldo’s penalty in the 53rd minute. The tournaments golden boot- elect did not strike the ball with any conviction and looked shaky as Alireza Beirenvand dove the right way and kept the attempt out, giving the fan base reason to believe against the odds. Portugal would continue to dominate but failed to capitalise before Iran equililized through a penalty of their own late in the piece. When the ball was drilled across the box it had come in contact with Southampton fullback Cedric Soares’ hand and after a VAR inspection the penalty was awarded, and converted convincingly by Karim Ansarifard - giving Iran reason to be proud. An impressive showing at the tournament ended on a relatively high note, and it is a great loss to see their vibrant and colourful fans leave. For Portugal, they may be left ruing the missed penalty if they end up going out to Uruguay in the round of 16 as the Spanish will now take on Russia, a smaller threat.

---

Fernando Hierro’s Spanish outfit took on Morocco at the same time to see who could secure top of the group. The Moroccan’s gave a great account of themselves after taking an early lead through Boutaib after he won the ball on halfway following a terrible mix-up between Sergio Ramos and the outgoing Andres Iniesta - he finished brilliantly with his left foot. However, just four minutes later, Iniesta bursted forward and delivered a tantalising pass from the byline to put Isco in just four yards out. The midfielder scored and the Spanish were swiftly back on level terms. Just minutes later again, Moroccan goalscorer Boutaib went through against De Gea for a second time but failed to strike in a period where both sides looked capable of winning the encounter.

Spain looked to dominate and at the half the game was poised at 1-1 - Nordin Ambrabat’s 55’ effort off the upright of the post made Spanish hearts stop but neither side could make a breakthrough. After creating several chances in the ensuing play, Morocco recaptured the lead through a powerful header from substitute Youssef En-Neysri with nine minutes to play. They held on until deep into added time but the Spanish, looking to convincingly top the group, struck to equalise through Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas at close range. VAR confirmed the goal over a minute after the ball went into the back of the net after suspicions of offside but they were dismissed and the Spanish salvaged a point, made much better by Portugal’s late collapse against Iran which confirmed their place atop the group on goal difference.

---

Elsewhere Uruguay palmed aside the previously impressive Russia in Samara after an early goal from Barcelona’s Luis Suarez off of a free kick - this early deficit was compounded when Vecino struck from long range and the ball bundled in off of Russia’s Denis Cheryshev, just minutes before Igo Smolikov was sent off for a shockingly dangerous challenge just outside the Russian area. A poor performance for the hosts was rounded off when Edinson Cavani struck minutes from time to cement the win - a big boost for Uruguay as they now face Portugal in the round of 16 after topping their group.