Spain, Portugal progress from Group B

Kaliningrad - Iago Aspas scored a VAR-assisted equaliser in injury time as Spain scrambled a 2-2 draw with Morocco in a dramatic finale to their Group B campaign.

Aspas’s winner, initially disallowed but awarded after intervention from the VAR, saw Spain stumble into the last 16 as group winners.

The Spaniards will now face World Cup hosts Russia in the second round after Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by Iran in the night’s other game.

Spain survived a real scare from a spirited Morocco side who had been leading 2-1 when the 90th minute began. Aspas’ clever flick from a wide free kick was initially adjudged by the assistant referee to have been offside. But after intervention from VAR it was given as a goal, much to the consternation of the Moroccan players and substitutes, some of whom stormed the pitch in protest.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty before Portugal conceded an injury-time spot-kick in a 1-1 draw with Iran as the European champions set up a last16 clash with Uruguay.

Ricardo Quaresma curled in a trademark trivela goal on the stroke of half-time, but Karim Ansarifard’s late penalty dropped Portugal to second in Group B. Portugal will now face Uruguay in Sochi on Saturday for a place in the quarterfinals after ending Iran’s hopes.

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