IR Iran v Portugal - Ricardo Quaresma curls Portugal into lead against Iran - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Match 35
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty for Portugal and was shown a yellow card after a lengthy VAR review for a possible red card.
Iran scored a late penalty, given after another video review, and almost snatched a winner in stoppage time which would have seen them not only go through at Portugal's expense but also top the group, with Spain held to a 2-2 draw by Morocco.
Ricardo Quaresma had put Portugal in front with a sensational goal at the end of the first half.
The late Iran penalty denied the European champions top spot in the group and means they play Uruguay in Sochi in the last 16 on Saturday, rather than Group A runners-up Russia.
VAR has been a major talking point in the 2018 World Cup but the final matches in Group B provided its most controversial night so far.
The controversy began with the award of Portugal's penalty, which was saved by Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand, diving to his left to deny Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid striker had gone down under the challenge of Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi and, after originally waving away appeals, Enrique Caceres rightly reversed his decision and awarded the spot-kick after checking VAR.
The game became heated after that decision, with both sides asking for further reviews, but its next use again involved Ronaldo.
Attempting to get in front of Morteza Pouraliganji, Ronaldo caught the Iranian in the face with a flailing arm.
After a lengthy stoppage while he watched replays on the VAR pitchside TV monitor, the referee deemed it worthy only of a yellow card.
But perhaps the most controversial decision came in second-half stoppage time and resulted in Iran's penalty.
Iran played a deep cross towards Sardar Azmoun and from close range his knockdown hit the outstretched arm of Portugal defender Cedric Soares, who was jumping to head the ball.
Again the referee took his time in making a decision and once again changed his original call, ultimately choosing to award a penalty.
SOURCE:http://zlotonews.com/world-cup-2018-ricardo-quaresma-curls-portugal-into-lead-against-iran/
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44439228
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