Photo Credited by Getty Images
By: Leonardo Rodriguez
Portugal and Iran are battling for a spot for the next round. It was terrific match between two hard working sides.
Portugal took the lead right near the end of first half. Ricardo Quaresma was able to pull a vintage Quaresma strike. He is known to score fantastic goals from outside his boot. It is definitely one of the best goals of the World Cup so far.
Portugal was awarded a PK near the middle of the second half after a hard challenge to Cristiano Ronaldo from the Iranian defender. The referee took another look at it with VAR and gave it a PK. Ronaldo stepped in and missed the PK. His first missed PK in some time now.
Ronaldo nearly was sent off after a hard hit on the face of Iran’s Morteza Pouraliganji when the referee took a look at it with VAR only to give CR7 a yellow card.
Iran finally got a breakthrough with a penalty call against Cedric Soares. Cedric touched the ball with arm and the ref once again took a look at it with VAR. Awarded the PK to the Iranians. Karim Ansarifard took the PK and blasts it past Rui Patricio for the 1-1 draw.
Iran needed a victory but were close to pulling it off. Portugal advances but will take on Group A Winners Uruguay on Saturday in the Round of 16.
WORLD OF SOCCER 