Iran entered the game needing a win to progress to the Round of 16 – and they played like their lives depended on it.
Portugal piled on the pressure early, with Cristiano Ronaldo looking for a third early goal in as many games.
Iran defended for dear life and got away with three massive goalkeeping errors early in the half.
They then started to settle into the game and find their shape – looking dangerous on the counter-attack.
Just as it looked like it would be a job well done for the Iranians in the first half however, Portugal had a moment of magic.
Ricardo Quaresma scored a stunning goal from outside of the box – with the outside of his boot – to give Portugal the lead right on half time.
Iran went into half time needing two goals to progress to the next round and they haven’t scored from open play all tournament.
Iran came out in the second half looking to change that fast – but things weren’t going their way.
They were going Portugal’s way however, as Ronaldo won a penalty in the box that was only awarded thanks for VAR.
Ronaldo stepped us and had the chance to more or less cement Portugal’s place in the Round of 16 – but Alireza Beiranvand had other plans.
The young Iranian keeper saved Ronaldo’s penalty and Iran were still alive.
From there the game heated up significantly and even the managers got involved.
Then right at the death Iran were handed a lifeline.
An injury time penalty saw Karim Ansarifard put the Iranians level.
They came agonisingly close one minute later – but it was not to be – as Portugal booked a place in the Last 16 and Iranian hearts were broken.
It was a game that had almost everything and it ended level.
Full time
Iran 1
Portugal 1
Iran need a win over Portugal if they are going to progress to the Round of 16. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am AEST.
Iran enter their final group game with everything to play for – and only a win will do if they are to progress to the Last 16.
Unfortunately for them, that win has to come against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal – who have proved to be resilient in recent fixtures.
However, Iran have shown their resilience as well, coming within a whisker of getting a point out of their game against Spain.
A defensive mistake led to Spain’s goal before a missed header and VAR intervention lead to Iran’s 1-nil loss.
Portugal have been carried by Ronaldo and goalkeeper Rui Patricio in their past two fixtures.
They are coming off a 1-nil win over Morocco, where Ronaldo’s early goal was enough to seal all three points and knock Morocco out of the World Cup.
That game proved that Portugal can defend as well as attack, fending off wave after wave of attack.
Ronaldo is looking to seal the golden boot early – he has scored four goals in two games.
Prediction
Both teams have been both impressive and unimpressive. Iran are more than capable of getting a result – but Portugal have Ronaldo. Iran are also struggling to score from open play with their only goal of the tournament coming via an own goal.
Iran 0 – 1 Portugal
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am AEST.
parkhacker
Roar Rookie
So good to see Iran knocked out of 2018 World Cup- remember in Melbourne 1997 they stopped us going to 1998 cup.Than in 2001 Uruguay defeated us at their home ground and once again we could not attend 2004 cup.Iran was doing foul after foul and taking dives against Portugal the ref rapidly losing control of the match.Talk about acting one Iranian was tackled and did about 5 rollovers on the ground.Ronaldo did nothing wrong but the hopelless ref gave Iran a penalty kick which they scored from.Earlier Ronaldos penalty went astray however the goalkeeper had already moved forward before Ronaldo kicked the ball a fact the ref chose to ignore Luckilly in the end for Portugal match ended 1to1 and say goodbye Iran until 2022 that is if you make it.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
The other game ended two-all, which means that Uruguay play Portugal and Russia play Spain in the Round of 16.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
What an incredible game of football!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Iran entered the game needing a win to progress to the Round of 16 - and they played like their lives depended on it. Portugal piled on the pressure early, with Cristiano Ronaldo looking for a third early goal in as many games. Iran defended for dear life and got away with three massive goalkeeping errors early in the half. They then started to settle into the game and find their shape - looking dangerous on the counter-attack. Just as it looked like it would be a job well done for the Iranians in the first half however, Portugal had a moment of magic. Ricardo Quaresma scored a stunning goal from outside of the box - with the outside of his boot - to give Portugal the lead right on half time. Iran went into half time needing two goals to progress to the next round and they haven't scored from open play all tournament. Iran came out in the second half looking to change that fast - but things weren't going their way. They were going Portugal's way however, as Ronaldo won a penalty in the box that was only awarded thanks for VAR. Ronaldo stepped us and had the chance to more or less cement Portugal's place in the Round of 16 - but Alireza Beiranvand had other plans. The young Iranian keeper saved Ronaldo's penalty and Iran were still alive. From there the game heated up significantly and even the managers got involved. Then right at the death Iran were handed a lifeline. An injury time penalty saw Karim Ansarifard put the Iranians level. They came agonisingly close one minute later - but it was not to be - as Portugal booked a place in the Last 16 and Iranian hearts were broken. It was a game that had almost everything and it ended level. Full time Iran 1 Portugal 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+8' - The referee blow for full time. Someone for Portugal got a yellow card after the whistle. One of the best games of football I've ever seen ends in heartbreak for Iran - but no one can accuse them of not brining anything to the competition. IRAN 1 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+7' - Portugal have a goal kick. IRAN 1 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+6' - That's six minutes of added time but four of those have had zero football. IRAN 1 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+5' - Will the referee add time on to account for VAR? IRAN 1 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - IRAN HIT THE SIDE NETTING! They came so close. That could have been their best chance. IRAN 1 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - GOAL IRAN Ansarifard scores and Iran have a glimmer of hope! IRAN 1 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - PENALTY IRAN Iran have a penalty thanks to VAR! IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - This is taking forever. The referee is checking VAR IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+6' - Six minutes of time to be added on. IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - The refere could be checking VAR for a possible handball in the box. Could Iran have a late penalty? IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - Ronaldo wins a free kick. Portugal can taste it. IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
83' - Ronaldo receives a yellow card on the red card review. How does that work? Isn't it red or nothing? VAR doesn't make too much sense. IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
81' - This game is really starting to heat up and Ronaldo is being check on VAR for a clash with an Iranian player. IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - Time is running out for Iran. They are trying but lack that bit of quality they need. It could take a miracle. IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
77' - Silva's shot is over the bar. IRAN 0 PORTUGAL 1