World Cup: Spain, Portugal Advance As Morocco, Iran Bid Farewell

Spain topped Group B after a lively finale despite being held to a draw by Morocco which tried to salvage their pride with a point at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Spain’s objective at the start of the match was simple: to stay top of Group B.

Though already eliminated, Morocco had an objective of their own: to ensure they did not leave the competition goalless.

Morocco were the first to fulfill their aim, as forward Khalid Boutaib capitalised on a misunderstanding between Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta to sprint clear and slip the ball under David De Gea with 14 minutes on the clock.

Clearly stung, Spain took just five minutes to reply Iran, with Iniesta slipping the perfect pass to Isco, who fired home from close range.

That was not the cue for the Spanish machine to click into gear, however, as the Atlas Lions continued to make life difficult for them.

Boutaib scampered clear once more only to be denied by De Gea.

Though Diego Costa was inches away from converting another pinpoint Iniesta pass before the break, the Moroccans went close yet again when Nourredine Amrabat struck the angle of post and bar with a fizzing drive ten minutes into the second half.

Spain’s response to that scare was to keep the ball and bump up their possession stats, though it was the Africans who struck next when Youssef En Nesyri powered home a header from a corner with nine minutes remaining.

But just when Morocco though the points were theirs, Iago Aspas scored with a fine back-heeled flick in stoppage time as Spain ultimately made first place theirs.

In their final group match Spain had to settle for a share of the points, secured in dramatic fashion by Aspas’ injury-time strike.

The Spanish had earlier passed up several chances to take the lead in a match lit up by some sparkling interplay between Isco and Iniesta.

Defensive errors ultimately cost La Roja the win but not top spot in the section just as Morocco departed on a high.

Already eliminated on their fifth World Cup appearance, the north Africans restored their pride in style by holding the 2010 world champions in check thanks to goals from Boutaib and En Nesyri, who plays his club football for Malaga.

Though Spain pressed high at the start of the match, Herve Renard’s side – captained by Mbarek Boussoufa – did not give an inch.

Fighting all the way to the end, Morocco went some way to making up for their early exit with a warrior-like display.

Meanwhile, Portugal survived with dramatic draw finishing second in Group B, following Ricardo Quaresma’s stunner.

Portugal struggled to a 1-1 draw against Iran in Saransk, a result that leaves them on five points, just behind rivals Spain on goals scored.

Iran finish with four points and are eliminated despite an encouraging performance, especially in the second half.

Ricardo Quaresma’s moment of brilliance just before half-time seemed to have been decisive for the Portuguese, but Karim Ansarifard scored a penalty deep in injury time after Cedric’s handball.

Despite the lion’s share of possession and chances, it was a frustrating night for the European champions, who could have had an insurance goal earlier except captain Cristiano Ronaldo saw his penalty saved by Iranian goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand.

Iran did well to control Cristiano Ronaldo from the start, but Quaresma was the unlikely goal-scorer.

They pushed forward in the second half and their offensive changes paid off in the dying moments, but they could not find the goal that would have given them the win and saw them advance.

Portugal dominated at the start of the game, culminating in Quaresma’s magical moment.

But the second half was a struggle after the penalty miss, and Iran deserved their point. Portugal will be looking to improve against a dangerous Uruguay side.

Uruguay will next face Portugal on 30 June in Sochi, Fisht Stadium, as Iran stands eliminated.

HOW THEY FINISHED

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