Just Four Things: Iran Vs. Portugal

Credit: Getty Images

Here We Go Again On VAR

There was two words that best described this match: Masterful and dramatic. Masterful because of the beauty of Ricardo Quaresma’s ‘trivela’ to gain some breathing space. It was dramatic because of numerous fine margins. VAR once again was the subject of debate as it handed not one, but two penalties.

First, it was used when Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be fouled just inside the box. The referee at first waved it off, but after being notified by VAR officials, came back to it and gave Portugal a penalty that wasn’t converted.

Ronaldo was again the subject of VAR one nervous moment when he was judged to elbow an Iran player. The referee took a look and gave a yellow card to the Portugal captain. It was a sigh of relief as a red card would meant Portugal would go to their Round of 16 clash without their star-man (More on this on the final point).

Then, VAR again came into play in the 90th minute when after review, Jose Fonte was penalized for handball, although it was a harsh decision as it didn’t look deliberate. Iran scored the resulting penalty. But VAR will be one of two biggest talks coming out of the match. Just a reminder that it will be the referee who makes the decisions in the end after looking at the footage.

Proud Iran Goes Down Fighting

Even though the expectations came to a consensus that Portugal will be the one advancing, Iran did not make this easy for Portugal to accomplish their own ambitions. Despite the early pressure, Iran mounted their usual counter-attack strategy when they won back possession, but only was thwarted when they couldn’t play that final ball.

Iran were very much alive in the whole 90 minutes but hasn’t created that decisive chance to get back in it. They definitely made Portugal nervous as the match approach the final minutes. Then, they finally got their biggest chance when they earned a penalty that substitute, Karim Ansarifard scored the equalizing penalty on the 93rd minute.

Almost immediately, another chance was handed to Iran on a diamond-encrusted plate when an attack saw the ball ricochet off a Portugal player and into the path of Mehdi Taremi on the left. He had the space to bury the most dramatic winner of this whole World Cup (Much more dramatic than Germany’s Toni Kroos’ free-kick winner Vs. Sweden) that would’ve sent Iran through to the second round, but could only shoot at the side-netting.

When the whistle blew, despair set in among the Iran camp. Still, their performances against Spain and now Portugal caused them grief. They can be proud of themselves that they gave their all and come so close to pleasantly stun everyone.

Portugal More Than Just Ronaldo

When the match kicked off, there was a certain swagger exerting by Portugal. Their last two matches saw Ronaldo being the difference and set the team on their way to the knockout stages. Here though, the whole team finally woke up and worked their way into the Iran box.

Their frantic energy unnerved Iran from the start. It was apparent when goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was at the centre of two sloppy moments. First he had a miscommunication with defender Saied Ezatolahi that lead to Joao Mario missing a glorious chance. Beiranvand then fluffed a cross and to his relief, the ball fell to an Iran player.

Portugal worked hard to find that goal. Then just before half-time, Ricardo Quaresma reminded of the brilliance he has but curling the ball with the outside of his foot that left Beiranvand no chance. Although they could’ve extended the lead that would’ve spared all the drama when Ronaldo’s penalty was saved in a moment that reminded us that he too is human. Still, William Carvalho was hardworking and Jose Fonte & Pepe did well to cut out Iran’s attacks. They need to be much more alive than this because…

 

A Much Harder Path

Because of that final-minute penalty, Portugal finished as runners-up behind Spain after Iago Aspas late equalizing backheel. Spain will entertain hosts Russia, but Portugal now has to deal with a tough Uruguay side who went through their group with three wins and have not even conceded a goal yet in this whole tournament.

Fonte and Pepe would have to be their absolutely best to stop Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez and Ronaldo would have to be his usual best. If there’s one key area Portugal can win at is on the midfield as Uruguay’s midfield haven’t exactly been the best.

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