Completion of the second matches of Group A and B puts pre tournament favorites in advantageous positions.
Russia and Uruguay are assured of round of 16 with maximum 6 points from two matches. Russia with 8-1 =7 goal difference is at the top. Uruguay had a hard earned i-0 win against Saudi Arabia courtesy a goal from the star Suarez.
In Group B, Spain and Portugal with 4 points are joint group leaders with the same 4-3=1 goal difference. Christiano Ronaldo header 4th minutes in to the match against Morocco earned Portugal its first win in World Cup 2018. Super star CR7 became the highest international matches’ scorer of Europe.
Iran which went down fighting to Spain on a breath taking match is breathing on their shoulders with 3 points. Diego Costa scored a lucky goal, which deflected on its way to the goal. The equalizer of Iran was ruled out on review. Group B need third round matches Portugal vs Iran and Spain Vs Morocco to clear the scenario. Iran still has an opportunity.
In this world cup there are five Muslim Countries Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. The fate of three teams Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Egypt was decided on the day. But all played quality football. Nothing to be disgraced.
Portugal Vs Morocco
CR7 Rules The Roost
Portugal 1 (Christiano Ronaldo 1): Morocco 0
Chritiano Ronaldo powered home a fourth minute header earning for Portugal 1-0 world cup wins over Morocco of a tight match. His tally of goals in the tournament is 4 meaning all that Portugal has scored. He scored a brilliant hat trick against Spain which earned his team a draw in a high scoring derby against Spain. Their position is almost secured as joint holder of top position in Group B with Spain equal points and same goal difference. Any result other than a Portugal win against Iran in the last match and Spain losing to Morocco can only alter the scenario.
Morocco displayed wonderful brand of attacking football. But their awful defending cost them the match .CR7 was unmarked when he headed home the winner. This made all their good works irrelevant.
Morocco came to the world conceding not a single goal in their 6 matches qualifying round yet somehow they defaulted in marking the most probing attacking player CR7 and paid dearly. This was 85th international goal taking him beyond Hungarian Icon Ference Puska’s European record. Only Iran’s Ali Daei is ahead of him with 109.
The match witnessed brisk pace of Morocco attacking and Portugal occasionally counter attacking. Unfortunately Morocco did not have a Ronaldo to crown many of their goal laden attacks. Portugal with 4 points from two matches and 1 goal difference is now jointly at the top of the group with Spain. Morocco has no chance other than salvaging some pride against Spain in the last match. Portugal will play Iran in a do or die match for Iran. If they beat Portugal and Spain win against Morocco Portugal goes home.
Spain Vs Iran
Spain 1 (Diego Costa): Iran 0
In a match of lively pace where Iran most kept Spain guessing Diego Costa second half goal broke the heart of hard toiling Iranians. They responded with an equalizer minutes. But it was disallowed on review for off side. Iran looked like equalizing with several potential moves. But resolute defending and excellent keeping by De Gea pushed Iranians on the brink. They now have to win against Portugal in the last match to go through.
Iran matched their vast superior opponent in every department of the game. If only they had a skilled marksman they would not only snatch a point but could win. Instead they defended a lot drawing most of their players in their own half. That caused fast and skillful Spain penetrates deep. Diego struck from close range which deflected and just past the outstretched finger tip of brave Iranian goal keeper (1-0).
Iran can feel that their disallowed equalizer was not a justice done. But replays showed that the off side ruling was correct. Iran should have scored from some other potential scoring opportunities. They either shoot wide or above the bar.
Iran has never won any world cup match against European opposition. In 20 matches of this world cup there has been no drawn matches 0-0 draw. The last time it happened was in 1954 of 26 matches’ tournament. This was the 9th 1-0 margin result in 20 matches of 2018 World Cup which is 1 more than the entire 2014 tournament. This is another evidence that competition is getting tighter.
With Group A is all but decided. Russia would play against second ranked team of Group B and Uruguay the top ranked. Now Spain and Portugal would definitely work out strategy whether to play Russia or Uruguay. Russia is looking great and it is home team.
BDST: 0854 HRS, JUN 21, 2018
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