Ronaldo misses penalty as Spain and Portugal progress

Spain and Portugal qualified for the World Cup knockout rounds despite struggling in their Group B matches against Morocco and Iran respectively.

Spain limped to a 2-2 draw against Morocco, and Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty as Portugal saw out a 1-1 draw against a spirited Iran.

Spain needed just a point to be sure of qualification and came up against a Moroccan side who were without a point coming into the last game, with no hope for themselves. Iran faced Portugal knowing that a win was likely essential, and Portugal needed a draw.

An upset first threatened when Khalid Boutaib scored on 14 minutes for Morocco, but Spain levelled with an excellent goal from Isco. Boutaib profited from a mix-up as Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos left the ball to one another, allowing the Moroccan to stride forward to slot past David de Gea.

READ MORE: Brazilian reporter fights back as fan tries to kiss her live on air

They were fortunate not to lose Gerard Pique in the early minutes when he launched a two-footed tackle that went unpunished. Sergio Ramos then escaped an obvious yellow for a handball in the second half.

Iran held on stoutly for most of the first half, leaving Portugal unsure of whether to stick or twist, until Ricardo Quaresma – making his first World Cup start at 34 – flicked a shot with the outside of his foot past the diving Alireza Beiranvand. Quaresma was lucky not to get a red in the second half when he appeared to aim his whole leg at Saeid Ezatolahi’s testicles.

READ MORE: Pogba haircut jibe and France criticism played down by Denmark boss Hareide

READ MORE: Shaqiri, Xhaka fined but not banned over Switzerland goal celebrations

Portugal showed little sign of tiredness after being kept up by noise-making Iranian fans outside the hotel the previous night, until Cristiano Ronaldo’s poor VAR-awarded penalty was beaten away, which almost led to Carlos Queiroz’s dismissal for leaving his technical area.

AS IT UNFOLDED: Iran v Portugal

AS IT UNFOLDED: Spain v Morocco

At around the same time, Spain’s defensive frailties were highlighted by a Nordin Amrabat strike that crashed against the woodwork, and Amrabat’s cross for Youssef En-Nesyri’s header was tucked away to give Morocco a shock victory, and leaving Spain open to a surprise upset once again.

At that point, Morocco needed another goal, and for Iran to have levelled, and it would have sent Iran through, but another VAR intervention saw Iran awarded a penalty after Cedric handballed a cross, just as Spain equalised through Iago Aspas. Karim Ansarifard duly converted for Iran.

Portugal will now face Uruguay, who triumphed 3-0 over Russia in the earlier section of Monday’s play. Hosts Russia will take on Spain. Morocco finish bottom with a point, and Queiroz has shown Iran’s ability to punch above their weight in international tournaments.