The Portugal team was nearly eliminated by Iran in a match which finally ended 1:1. Portugal had taken the lead in the 45th minute through Quaresma which saw the first half ending 1:0.
In the 53rd minute, Ronaldo had his penalty saved by the goalkeeper, missing an opportunity to double their lead and take his goal tally to 5. He was to rue that miss as Iran equalized from the penalty spot in the 3rd minute of additional time after a penalty was awarded following a VAR verdict.
Things went hairy for Portugal as Iran came close to taking the lead before the end of the match. They also made appeals for a second penalty after they claimed their player was pushed down in the 18 yard box.
According to Carlos Queiroz, Iran’s coach “It was a football game that we honoured and we brought prestige to the World Cup. It was a very competitive World Cup game, minute-by-minute, duel-by-duel, playing against one of the best teams in the world. I think Iran, without any doubt, with the discipline, with the attitude, with the way we controlled the game, if there was some justice in football – which doesn’t exist – only one winner would have come out in this game. And that winner is Iran.”
For Fernando Santos, the Portuguese coach, his focus is now on the round of 16. He said “The important thing is to think about the [Round-of-16] match, think about the game, get to know your adversaries and then to get well prepared mentally and physically, regardless of it being Uruguay or the hosts. These are different circumstance of course, the hosts have huge support and they’ve had a very good tournament, while Uruguay has high quality and top-notch players and they’re all excellent – but Portugal too. We have our weapons and we’re going to try to win.”
Iran and Morocco now head home with Iran having 4 points and Morocco having none. Portugal will now head into the next round as runners up in their group. Though they have the same points and goals difference as Spain, Spain scored more goals.