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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.
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.

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

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

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 fans were shattered after their side’s exit. Picture: AFP.
Iran got close but couldn’t find that decisive second goal. 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!

Socceroos fans party in Sochi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/world-cup/2018-world-cup-var-controversy-spain-portugal-survive-iran-heartbreak-salah-brilliance/news-story/cf77ff9285ce5601996ef58d80a56a62