FIFA World Cup 2018: Controversies, VAR, penalties mar group B matches, Spain, Portugal move up
Controversies, confusion over VAR consultations, disputes over award of penalties marred third round matches of group B in the FIFA World Cup 2018 on Monday.
Both Spain and Portugal moved into the knock out round, but it was not without decisions that left many sulking both in stands and elsewhere.
Controversial decisions apart, it was Ronaldo, who was off target and could not score to come to level terms with English skipper Harry Kane. He missed a penalty and a couple of good sitters.
Spain and Portugal needed to draw their last pool games for smooth passage to the round of 16. But their opponents had different ideas. Morocco virtually surprised Spain with a 2-2 draw while Iran fans wept in despair as Portugal held the Asian champions to a 1-1 draw.
Iran was lucky to the extent that a penalty awarded to it was dutifully converted by Karim Amsarifard in the injury time.
Portugal had taken the lead just before the teams broke for interval. Ricardo Quaresma was the scorer. The goal was culmination of an exciting move that left the Iranian custodian Ali Beiranvand bewildered.
Later, he made amends when Portugal got a penalty after Ronaldo was allegedly brought down. Ali moved in the direction of the kick taken by Ronaldo and averted the damage to deny Ronaldo his fifth goal of the tournament so far.
Substitutions, VAR consultations, controversial awards - all notwithstanding - the game looked like heading for a win for Portugal till the second penalty of the match, this time for Iran, was awarded.
Karim Ansarifard made no mistake to snatch win from Portugal and end the game on even honours for the Asian champions.
In the other game, Morocco played robust soccer as its players did not pay heed to yellow cards being showered upon them.
The Africans took the lead in the 14th minute when Khalid Boutraib found the net. It was a brilliant effort as he ran down from the centre and beat De Sea in Spain goal.
Isco-Infesta combine got Spain the equaliser in the 20th minute
A brilliant header by En Nesyri put Morocco ahead. While the game was heading for its end, Aspas scored. But the linesman raised flag saying Aspas was offside. After VAR consultation, the decision of the ground referee was upheld and the game ended in 2-2 draw to give Morocco its first point and Spain a place in the round of 16.
