Portugal looked set to clinch a win over Iran after Quaresma put them ahead in the 45th minute, but a penalty to Iran was put away by Ansarifard to shatter the Portuguese hopes of topping the group B. The 1-1 draw means they now face Uruguay's Luis Suarez and co. in the Round of 16.
Iran dominated in defence and would have pulled off a famous victory in injury time but Amiri’s shot hit the side-netting. Iran had many more chances throughout the game, but they were toothless in front of goal. They dominated in defence and looked menacing in attack but their only vulnerability was in the final third and, in the end, that made all the difference.
This was Iran’s second encounter with Portugal at the World Cup. Portugal beat them first time in 2006 thanks to goals from Deco and Ronaldo. It was Ronaldo’s first World Cup goal then. Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz had managed Portugal on two occasions (1991-1993 & 2008-2010), something he looked to capitalise on if at all, during the tie. A win against Portugal would have seen Iran secure a place in the knockout stages for the first time.
Ronaldo opened proceedings with a low right-footed shot straight at Iranian goalkeeper Beiranvand. It was a shot identical to that he had shot at De Gea, but Beiranvand was much stronger than his Spanish counterpart and caught the ball. Iran broke on the counter in the 7th minute, but as the case had been in earlier games, looked clueless in front of goal as Taremi who skewered his shot wide. Iran’s nerves showed early in the game when a mix-up between Beiranvand and Ezatolahi saw Ronaldo’s cross land at the feet of Joao Mario, but he shot it wide. It was a nervy start for the Iranian goalkeeper who failed to deal with crosses effectively and the ball had to be cleared by the defenders. The game looked poised to be headed for a draw at half-time but Quaresma scored in the 45th minute. The right-winger curled one into the top corner of the net with the outside of his right foot, past a diving Beiranvand. It was reminiscent of his goal for Porto back in 2015.
Ronaldo, who was kept quiet all night in the first half, cut into the box but was brought down by Ezatolahi. A penalty was awarded to Portugal, courtesy of VAR after the referee had initially waved play on. Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty, but his shot towards the right bottom corner was saved brilliantly by Beiranvand. Messi fans would have definitely enjoyed that! Portugal were hanging on to their lead but were soon put out after Iran won a penalty through VAR in injury time. Replays showed Azmoun headed the ball on to the arm of Cedric Soares. Ansarifard shot straight into the top-right, much like Harry Kane. The goal meant that Portugal, who looked all set to meet Russia in the Round of 16, will now face Uruguay. For Iran, they almost pulled off a surprise win as Amiri pounced on a deflected ball in the box, but shot it into the side-netting.
Iran remained composed and stubborn in defence every time Portugal posed a threat. They had even managed to keep Ronaldo off the ball for the majority of the game. It was Iran who dominated the game throughout. They were resolute in defence and was the only team who looked close to scoring after Ronaldo’s penalty miss early in the second half. In the end, they were unable to rewrite the history books.
Portugal face a stiff task in Uruguay and Suarez, who look battle-ready after demolishing Russia 3-0 to top the group. It was a controversial decision that led to the final scoreline but Portugal can do nothing else but prepare themselves to face Uruguay in the Round of 16.