2018 World Cup: VAR controversy; Spain, Portugal survive; Iran heartbreak; Salah brilliance

A VAR farce mars day 12 of the World Cup, Portugal get out of jail by the skin of their teeth while four nations secured their place in the round of 16. We wrap up a crazy night from Russia in World Cup Daily.

Sain got the benefit of a VAR call late against Morocco. Picture: AFP.

A VAR farce mars day 12 of the World Cup, Portugal get out of jail by the skin of their teeth while four nations secured their place in the round of 16. We wrap up a crazy night from Russia in World Cup Daily.

GAMES/RESULTS

Saudi Arabia 2 Egypt 1: Salah scores but Saudis triumph

Uruguay 3 Russia 0: Hosts crash back to earth

Spain 2 Morocco 2 - VAR to rescue of Spaniards

Portugal 1 Iran 1 - Ronaldo fluffs lines but Portugal hangs on

ControVARsial scenes

World Cup stars, pundits and fans have all taken aim at the VAR after an incredible series of events in the Group B games.

Iran won a dubious penalty against Portugal in their 1-1 draw, while at almost exactly the same time, Spain had a goal given by VAR that was originally flagged offside. It saw that game finish 2-2, meaning they had topped the group ahead of Portugal.

PENALTY to Iran! #WorldCup #IRNPOR pic.twitter.com/OyspQ0lR5P

— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 25, 2018

A host of pundits, ex-players and fans were quick to vent their frustration on social media, particularly on the handball decision against Portugal.

Iran get a ludicrous VAR penalty as Spain get given a VAR goal. Mad.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 25, 2018

VAR is going to absolutely ruin football if what we’ve seen in tonight’s game between #IRNPOR us anything to go by.

— Graeme Le Saux (@graemelesaux14) June 25, 2018

Well that’s the closest I’ve been to swearing on live TV! What I really wanted to say is that VAR is complete and utter bollocks!!🤣🤣 #IranPortugal #VAR #RussiaWorldCup2018

— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) June 25, 2018

I believe VAR system will make players more aggressive , more confrontational , behave worse than ever ! As tonight showed ! Even coaching staff and manager on the sideline ! Just my thoughts 🤷‍♂️

— Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) June 25, 2018

Reffing hell!!!!

What farce... never a penalty... and should’ve been minimum 10 minutes of stoppage time after all the VAR checks and injuries!#IRNPOR

— Brenton Speed (@BrentonSpeed) June 25, 2018

Perhaps Moroccco defender Nordin Amrabat summed it up best at full-time. We’ll let you do the lip-reading.

I agree ngl pic.twitter.com/DiyTdpv4E7

— Mr boombastic 🇪🇸 🇪🇬 (@uzairxwadee) June 25, 2018

In the day’s earlier games, Uruguay’s Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani put hosts Russia to the sword, their goals in a 3-0 win securing top spot and a round of 16 clash with Portugal. Russia will face Spain in Moscow.

Mo Salah scored Egypt’s opening goal against Saudi Arabia, but it wasn’t enough as the Saudi’s come-from-behind 2-1 win saw them finish Group A in third.

BEST PHOTOS:

Iran fans were shattered after their side’s exit. Picture: AFP.

Iran got close but couldn’t find that decisive second goal. Picture: AFP.

BEST VIDEO:

In amongst the madness of Portugal v Iran, it’s almost easy to forget that Ricardo Quaresma scored this wondergoal for Portugal in the first half against Iran.

THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY

GOOD

Few things on earth bring people from vastly different backgrounds together like the World Cup. That’s the case in Russia and Australians have spent the last few days partying with Peru’s massive fanbase in Sochi. One particular highlight, this video of a sea of green and gold meeting a hulking Peruvians on his bike. The beautiful game!

BAD

Football is a cruel game. Iran were in tears after being knocked out by Portugal, but it could have been so different if this snuck in, instead of hitting the side netting. They don’t call it a game of inches for nothing.

#Portugal 20 cm away from being knocked out in the 95th minute by #Iran. Fine margins make the difference… #IRNPOR pic.twitter.com/GW8GGPmw80

— David Kappel (@kappilinho) June 25, 2018

Mehdi Taremi... 90th minute.

So close. Yet so far. #IRNPOR #OptusSport #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/XHgGjjobSJ

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 25, 2018

UGLY

Cristiano Ronaldo had a day to forget against Iran. The Portugal talisman was looking to regain the lead in the Golden Boot race, but had a shocker in Saransk.

His 53rd-minute penalty miss was bad, but it could have been a whole lot worse. This time, the VAR rescued Ronaldo, deciding his errant elbow on Morteza Pouraliganji only warranted a yellow card.

Ronaldo gets a yellow card for this! Should he have been sent-off? #IRNPOR #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/AsDUaHeFH9

— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 25, 2018

Ronaldo misses a penalty. He’s no Harry Kane is he? 😉

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 25, 2018

Carlos Queiroz going off on one big time about VAR and Ronaldo's red/yellow card. Suggesting VAR would have given red to a lower profile player.

— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) June 25, 2018

Is this the reason the usually-brilliant Ronaldo had such an off-game?

Hundreds of Iranian fans spent several overnight hours surrounding the hotel where Portugal’s national team is based, making loud noises in an attempt to disrupt their opponents’ sleep before their decisive World Cup match.

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was filmed by Portuguese TV RTP late at night by the window using gestures to ask the Iranian fans to be silent, but in the morning there were still a few dozen of them playing loud music near the hotel in the Saransk city centre.

WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS TALKING ABOUT:

The VAR factor.

19 - There have been 19 penalties taken at the 2018 World Cup 🏆, more than in any other edition in the history of the competition. VAR . 📺#WorldCup #IRNPOR pic.twitter.com/8tmhJJi3nm

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 25, 2018

It wasn’t all bad news for Iran and goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand will never forget the day he thwarted one of the game’s best ever players.

#IRN goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand ran away from home as a kid to chase his dream of becoming a professional footballer, growing up homeless outside his local football stadium.

Tonight he saved a penalty against Cristiano Ronaldo in the World Cup!

Dream come true 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Pvbdj2Msir

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) June 25, 2018

Pele is 77 but he hasn’t lost a step. Well played!

Interviewer: Do you think Brazil's 1970 team can beat today's Argentina?

Pelé: Yes.

Interviewer: By how much?

Pelé: 1:0

Interviewer: That's it?

Pelé: Well, most of us are over 75 now.

— Mr. Drinks On Me #FRA🇫🇷 (@Mr_DrinksOnMe) June 24, 2018

SWEDEN’S ‘F*** RACISM!’ MESSAGE

Sweden midfielder Jimmy Durmaz says the racist abuse aimed at him over social media following the 2-1 loss to Germany at the World Cup has been “completely unacceptable”. After coming on as a substitute, Durmaz gave away the free kick that led to Toni Kroos curling in an injury-time winner in Saturday’s group game. Durmaz has since been subjected to online abuse, including threats to his family.

Before a training session on Sunday, Durmaz — standing in front of the rest of the Sweden squad and beside coach Janne Andersson — read out a statement to the media from a mobile phone. Watch it below.

Sweden’s squad join @JimmyDurmaz21 to give a powerful statement against racist abuse following their defeat to Germany pic.twitter.com/Yb1sRY7Xx2

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 25, 2018

Originally published as 2018 World Cup: VAR controversy; Spain, Portugal survive; Iran heartbreak; Salah brilliance