#SoccerWorldCup2018: Portugal survive elimination scare

Iran came within a whisker of sending Portugal packing after the teams drew 1-1 in their Group B clash.

A shot into the side netting in the dying seconds was half a metre away from causing one of the World Cup’s biggest ever upsets.

This was one Iran just had to win; even a draw for Portugal would have seen them through – which it did.

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As early as the 3rd minute Ronaldo hit a shot on target, which may have signposted a long night for the Iranians, especially as their keeper Alireza Beiranvand twice dropped the ball in the early stages.

But Portugal were having difficulty breaking down the Iranian defence and were themselves at times under pressure.
Not surprisingly, little was seen of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was well marked.

On the cusp of half time the stalemate was broken as Ricardo Quaresma, instead of sending over another of his fine crosses, cut in from the right wing and hit the ball with the outside of his right foot into the top left corner (1-0).

Goal of the tournament so far, and Portugal were smiling.

They thought it was all over early in the second stanza when Ronaldo stepped up to take a penalty but it was brilliantly saved by Alireza Beiranvand.

This rejuvenated Iran into waves of attack, barely repelled by a scrambling Portuguese defence, who can thank Pepe and William Carvalho for their continual mopping up as a tiring but ever willing Iran kept on being a nuisance.

Ronaldo escaped red with an elbow off the ball incident and were in disarray in the 90th minute when Cedric was deemed to have hand-balled in the box.

Karim Ansarifard took the spot kick for Iran and beat Rui Patricio low to his left (1-1).

Then came that 93rd minute drama as Mehdi Taremi got the ball in the box but put it into the side netting.
Had it gone in, it was bye bye Ronaldo and company.

As it is, by finishing second behind Spain, they now have the massive hurdle that is Uruguay to climb in the last 16.

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