CELEBRATION TIME
Valdo Paulino had Portuguese fans dancing in the street on James Street North as their team moved into the round of 16 in World Cup play with a 1-1 draw against Iran in play Monday. For World Cup coverage,
SARANSK, RUSSIA — Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty cost Portugal first place in its World Cup group.
Portugal finished second in Group B after a 1-1 draw with Iran on Monday.
The 2016 European champions will next face Uruguay on Saturday in the round of 16.
Instead of Ronaldo, it was Ricardo Quaresma who scored for the Portuguese. The 34-year-old midfielder responded to his first tournament start by producing one of the more esthetically pleasing goals of group play.
Quaresma became Portugal’s oldest scorer in World Cup play by hitting a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area that went beyond the reach of diving Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand.
His goal came on a night when Ronaldo — who has all four of Portugal goals in its two Group B games — was denied on a penalty by Beiranvand. He has missed six of his last 14 penalty kicks.
Karim Ansarifard scored a late penalty for Iran, which needed to win to advance, but couldn’t break through a second time despite a furious charge in the waning minutes.
Spain won the group after its 2-2 draw with Morocco. Both Spain and Portugal had a goal difference of plus-1, but Spain scored six goals in its three group matches while Portugal had five. Spain will next face host Russia on Sunday in Moscow.
Quaresma had never scored in a World Cup game; he had nine international goals in 78 previous appearances.
But his goal had all the flare of a Ronaldo strike.
He sent the shot with the outside of his right foot right into the far corner near the end of the first half.
Iran has now been to five World Cups — all since 1978 — but has yet to advance out of group play. Its players collapsed on the field at the final whistle, while Portugal’s somewhat muted celebration had more the look of relief.