VAR drama as Portugal and Spain reach World Cup last 16

MOSCOW, June 26 — Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and 2010 winners Spain progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on a Monday night of high drama dominated by VAR w88 decisions after host nation Russia and Uruguay also qualified.

Spain ended up topping Group B by virtue of goals scored after an injury-time strike by Iago Aspas — confirmed by the video assistant referee — rescued a 2-2 draw against Morocco in Kaliningrad and will take on the host nation in Moscow on Sunday. Portugal, who finished level with Spain on five points, conceded a late penalty as Iran drew level at 1-1 and faced a heart-stopping moment as Mehdi Taremi put a shot inches wide — a goal that would have sent the European champions crashing out.

Morocco twice led Spain through Khalid Boutaib and then Youssef en-Nesyri. Spain w88 tricks pulled level in the first half through Isco before Aspas's rescue act at the death. In Saransk, Ronaldo was at the heart of a series of VAR incidents. First he had a penalty saved by Ali Beiranvand and was later saved by a review as Iran's players called for him to be sent off following an incident with Morteza Pouraliganji.

Ricardo Quaresma had earlier opened the scoring with a fine shot with the outside of his boot at the end of the first half and Portugal looked like holding on for the win before Karim Ansarifard equalised in injury time at the end of the match. Portugal will face Uruguay in the last 16 in Sochi on Saturday.

“Now we have to continue with this mindset of winning and wait for the next match,” said Quaresma. “We know the difficulties we're going to have against Uruguay. They are a big team with very big players, but the most important thing now is for us to recover and to get ready for Uruguay.” There have now been 19 penalties taken at the 2018 World Cup — more than in any other w88 tips and tricks e***ion of the competition. Earlier, Russia were handed a World Cup reality check, losing 3-0 to Uruguay.

The host nation rode a wave of national euphoria in their first two matches, sweeping aside Saudi Arabia and Egypt despite being initially written off as no-hopers but could not keep the magic alive against the South Americans. An early freekick from Barcelona's Luis Suarez, an own goal from Denis Cheryshev and a late strike from Edinson Cavani sealed top spot in Group A for Uruguay, with Russia through to the knockout stages as runners-up.