Iran vs Portugal, LIVE World Cup 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo misses VAR penalty - Latest score, goals and updates plus prediction, how to watch online, team news, line-ups
Portugal are emerging as a side very likely to go far in the tournament and have a chance to show strong signs of intent against Iran. The Selecao will face either Russia or Uruguay in the round of 16 and are bidding to finish above bitter rivals Spain in the process.
Iran, who have nothing to play for, are likely to try and sit back and frustrate in a similar way to how they played when they lost 1-0 to Spain after playing six across the back line.
Cristiano Ronaldo is vying for the Golden Boot with Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku and will be itching to put a few past Portugal’s inferior opponents to bolster his tally.
What a chance! Iran could have won it to book their place in the last 16, knocking out Portugal in the process, but Mehdi Taremi slams his shot into the side netting! It's chaos in Group B!
As Spain were falling behind in Kaliningrad, Cristiano Ronaldo was breathing a huge sigh of relief in Saransk. The Portugal captain was being scrutinised by video review after clashing with Morteza Pouraliganji as the pair chased a ball played down the left wing. As Ronaldo attempted to shrug off the defender, he caught him in the face with part of his arm, leading the VAR officials to implore referee Enrique Caceres to consult the monitors on the touchline for a possible red card offence. Caceres took his time, lots of time, eventually returning to the pitch to flash a yellow card in the direction of Ronaldo. A winning night almost turned to disaster.
Something has happened inKaliningrad! Morocco lead Spain again courtesy of a thumping header from Youssef En-Nesyri! Faycal Fajr curled over a corner from the right and the young striker, who plays his football in Spain with Malaga, rose above everyone to power an effort into the top corner.
80 mins: Iran 0 Portugal 1: Into the final ten minutes, and Portugal still lead in Saransk and still lead Group B. As it stands, Portugal are setting themselves up for a knockout match with Russia unless something happens in Kaliningrad.
72 mins: Iran 0 Portugal 1: Are Iran starting to commit more men forward in search of the goals that would keep their World Cup dream alive? Substitute Saman Ghoddos has only been on the pitch a few minutes but goes closer than any of his teammates before him this evening. The Ostersunds midfielder latches on to a dropping ball on the edge of the penalty area but steers his right-footed shot wide.
64 mins: Iran 0 Portugal 1: Portugal's goalscorer, Ricardo Quaresma, now goes into the book for a late lunge on Saeid Ezatolahi by the near touchline. It looks bad in real time but, despite Mark Lawrenson's best Dick Emery impression, a yellow card is sufficient punishment.
62 mins: Spain 1 Morocco 1: A brilliant headed clearance from underneath his own crossbar by Romain Saïss denies Isco his second of the night. From the resulting corner, Pique heads centimetres wide of the far post. Spain have started to turn the screw.
56 mins: Spain 1 Morocco 1: Nordin Amrabat nearly restores Morocco's lead with a thumping shot that crashes back off David de Gea's crossbar before being cleared to safety.
55 mins: Iran 0 Portugal 1: It's all going off in the midst of that Ronaldo penalty miss. There's a Portugal player lying prostrate on the floor and the Iranian players are furious. The upshot was a booking for Sardar Azmoun, and then it appeared as though Iran's Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz was sent from the dugout having encroached on to the pitch. Queiroz even tossed his jacket in the direction of some FIFA officials for good measure, but the fourth official appears to have given him another chance and brought him back to the touchline.
There really is no splitting Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi! After the Argentine fluffed his lines from 12 yards against Iceland in the first group game, Ronaldo has now followed suit! The Portugal number seven had to wait a long time before taking this spotkick, but his right-footed sidefooted strike was poor and gave Ali Beiranvand the opportunity to get down to his left to save. It keeps Iran in the contest and, for now, the World Cup!
Portugal have a penalty following a VAR review! There looking nothing in the initial challenge by Saeid Ezatolahi on Cristiano Ronaldo, and that was certainly the impression of Paraguayan referee Enrique Caceres. However, the arbiter got the nod to consult the monitors on the side of the pitch and, having done so, decided to reverse his decision and award the penalty. Even on the multiple replays, there looked little in the coming together between the players and it's hard to know what the official spotted on the review that he didn't see at the time. It's a cross against the use of VAR in this instance.
SECOND HALF KICK-OFF: Both Group B games are back underway. Leading at the Mordovia Arena, Portugal are in charge at the moment but expect more twists over the next 45 minutes.
Iran vs Portugal kicks off at 19:00 at Saransk’s Mordovia Arena.
Where can I watch it?
BBC will be showing live coverage on BBC 1 and online on the BBC Sport website.
Odds:
Iran: 5/1
Portugal: 4/6
Draw: 5/2
Prediction:
2-0. Iran proved they can be a stubborn defence to score past against Spain and are likely to play similar tactics against Portugal. The difference will be this time they have less motivation to keep their opponents out, and Portugal have Ronaldo who is proving he can win games on his own.
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