AIPS: Spain, courtesy of a double drama in the last minute, are heading for Moscow on Sunday to face hosts Russia in the knockout stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The 2010 world champions topped Group B after a remarkable turnaround in the last minutes of their 2-2 draw with Morocco in Kaliningrad — just as European title-holders Portugal were being hauled back to 1-1 by Iran in Saransk.
Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty amid all the excitement on the night but Portugal clung on to progress, as group runners-up, to play Uruguay in Sochi in Saturday.
Spain, creative in attack but disorientated in defence, conceded an early goal to Morocco’s Khalid Boutaib but quickly levelled through Isco. Noureddine Amrabat hit the bar in the second half before Morocco regained the lead through a magnificent header from substitute Youssef En Nesyri.
At that point Spain were only just clinging on to second place in the group but, in the last minute, substitute Thiago Aspas equalised. At first referee Ravshan Irmatov ruled out the goal for offside but VAR persuaded him to change his mind to the fury of the homeward-bound Moroccans.
Simultaneously in Saransk Portugal, leading Iran through a first-half strike from Ricardo Quaresma, conceded a stoppage-time penalty which substitute Karim Ansarifard converted for a 1-1 draw.
Earlier Group A was wrapped up with hosts Russia succumbing to their first defeat and thus finishing second behind their Uruguay conquerors.
The Celeste won decisively by 3-0 with an opening free kick from Luis Suarez being followed by unlucky own goal as Denis Cheryshav deflected Diego Laxalt’s effort past keeper Igor Akinfeev.
Russia’s recovery hoped were dashed before half-time when full-back Igor Smolnikov was sent off for a second bookable offence. Edinson Cavani then struck in the last minute of the second half as Uruguay became the first side to win all three group games without conceding a goal since Argentina in 1998.
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, celebrating his 100th cap, became Uruguay’s all-time leading appearance maker at the World Cup (14) overtaking Ladislao Mazurkiewicz.
Saudi Arabia took third place in Group A after a 2-1 win over bottom team Egypt in Volgograd. Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, at 45 the oldest player to appear at a World Cup, marked the occasion by saving a penalty but all in vain.
