---
title: "In Pictures: Ronaldo misses a penalty in dramatic Group B final round"
description: "Portugal and Spain are through. Iran came agonisingly close."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "#Russia2018"
author: "Antoinette Muller"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/antoinettemuller/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-06-26-pictures-group-b-ronald-penalty-miss-portugal-spain-through/"
published: "2018-06-26T01:19:27"
updated: "2018-06-26T13:49:06"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 1044
---

# In Pictures: Ronaldo misses a penalty in dramatic Group B final round

> Portugal and Spain are through. Iran came agonisingly close.

By Antoinette Muller · Published 26 June 2018, 03:19 SAST · Updated 26 June 2018, 15:49 SAST

## Content

*Stay up to date with all the latest news from Russia with*[*Daily Maverick‘s dedicated World Cup 2018 section*](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/section/worldcup2018/#.WyTgkaf-g2w)*.*

*Read our*[*guide to group scenarios and an explanation of tie-breakers here*](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-06-24-a-full-guide-to-which-teams-can-qualify-for-the-last-16-and-how/#.WzCQd6f-g2x)*.*

*Compiled by ANTOINETTE MULLER, photos by EPA.*

The final round of fixtures in Group B held much promise. Three teams still had a chance of qualifying with only Morocco eliminated for sure. Up against Spain, who didn't take any chances with their starting XI, Khalid Boutaib opened the scoring just 14 minutes in.

![Khalid Boutaib (L) of Morocco celebrates with his teammate Younes Belhanda (R) after scoring the 1-0 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/fbmGuN_erKKi8176YeBTM8pfqZw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440675.jpg)

*Khalid Boutaib (L) of Morocco celebrates with his teammate Younes Belhanda (R) after scoring the 1-0 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI*

But, in trademark Spanish fashion, *La Roja* hit back just five minutes later with classic counter-attacking football and Isco the man to finish it off.

![Isco (C) of Spain celebrates with team mates Andres Iniesta (L) and David Silva (R) after scoring the 1-1 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018.  EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/egokLjqyoLcwkCuOFSqfx1pU32A=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440728.jpg)

*Isco (C) of Spain celebrates with teammates Andres Iniesta (L) and David Silva (R) after scoring the 1-1 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK*

Morocco, though, weren't playing nice. They were shown four yellow cards in the first half. The only other time a team was shown more cards in the first half of a World Cup game was in 1966. The team on that occasion? The very same Atlas Lions.

![Players of Spain (red) and Morocco (white) scuffle during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018.  EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/zczcYgYSpeu_X0sRheX7z_NhfOg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440615.jpg)

*Players of Spain (red) and Morocco (white) scuffle during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI*

![Khalid Boutaib of Morocco reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/9VCD9-EN-nzXqnrBjLYUdSQEL5Q=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440736-1.jpg)

*Khalid Boutaib of Morocco reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI*

In the Iran vs Portugal fixture, where Team Melli knew a win would be enough to see them through, they clung on for dear life in the first half.

![Andre Silva of Portugal (front) and Ramin Rezaeian of Iran in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/UicnyLEll0rHAYDQujauFqCAIJk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440595.jpg)

*Andre Silva of Portugal (front) and Ramin Rezaeian of Iran in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT*

There was a lot of tussling with Cristiano Ronaldo. For the first time in this tournament, the best player on the planet actually looked subdued.

![Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/P0ujaVNUeTqYZCvjpD83evVaUak=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440599.jpg)

*Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT*

It took until the 45th minute for Portugal to find a breakthrough. Ricardo Quaresma, in his first ever World Cup start, found the back of the net with some classy footwork.

![Ricardo Quaresma of Portugal celebrates scoring the 1-0 during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/1t3yKg6ryupq3pYmA0Liyox9_M4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440824.jpg)

*Ricardo Quaresma of Portugal celebrates scoring the 1-0 during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT*

![Goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand of Iran is beaten as Portugal go 1-0 up during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018.  EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/pL2tU421Qr3mwa9blDNo3-uuqjI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440800.jpg)

*Goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand of Iran is beaten as Portugal go 1-0 up during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT*

Soon after the restart, Diego Costa missed a chance to score for Spain.

![Diego Costa (R) of Spain in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018.  EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/4BPp0SDyNpVJVnvTZNd1Wg5Bcew=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440830.jpg)

*Diego Costa (R) of Spain in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK*

For Iran, things started to unravel. A VAR review resulted in a penalty for Portugal. Team Melli were up in arms - with yellow cards dished out for their shenanigans.

![Players of Iran argue with referee Enrique Caceres during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018.  EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/flaSr5SF4zH-SvlXYiP57LIYH44=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440877.jpg)

*Players of Iran argue with referee Enrique Caceres during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER*

But not even in their wildest dreams would Iran have imagined what happened next. Keeper Alireza Beiranvand, who ran away from home to pursue his footballing dream, saved a Ronaldo penalty.

![Goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand of Iran saves a penalty of Cristiano Ronaldo during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/n9wMoLVoGWHRl00tXyF0nzJM6Xk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440865.jpg)

*Goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand of Iran saves a penalty of Cristiano Ronaldo during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT*

![Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/KPFwQq3vEXqTcFAYCpcDwWYc8n4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440870.jpg)

*Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT*

Iran's Carlos Queiroz was given a warning for becoming a bit too animated on the touchline as things to tense.

![Referee Enrique Caceres of Paraguay (L) talks to Iran's coach Carlos Queiroz during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018.  EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/JavD96SgCs-2_vcAhOOn-iFuPTk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440914.jpg)

*Referee Enrique Caceres of Paraguay (L) talks to Iran's coach Carlos Queiroz during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT*

Even more so when Youssef En-Nesyri put Morocco back ahead against Spain with less than ten minutes to go.

![Youssef En-Nesyri (up L) of Morocco scores the 2-1 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/AIg-XODehdWTbyVgGP5HrBvuvbM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Youssef-En-Nesyri.jpg)

*Youssef En-Nesyri (up L) of Morocco scores the 2-1 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ARMANDO BABANI*

Late in the second half, Ronaldo was lucky to escape with just a yellow card. The ref took a lot of time to reach that decision and a forearm shove to the opponent's face could have resulted in far worse.

![epa06840224 Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) of Portugal receives the yellow card from referee Enrique Caceres during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018.   EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/vkKOpw8vEkNDm5qGpdf63XPJ_OM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440929.jpg)

*Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) of Portugal receives the yellow card from referee Enrique Caceres during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER*

Spain then drew level again, having initially had the goal disallowed for offside.

![Sergio Ramos of Spain celebrates the 2-2 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018.   EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/FR10r5bU91Gh8nAAibx6CKBG--8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440971.jpg)

*Sergio Ramos of Spain celebrates the 2-2 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Spain and Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK*

Then, deep into stoppage time, Iran scored a penalty - and hit the side netting - sealing their World Cup exit in agonising fashion.

![Karim Ansarifard of Iran reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018.  EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LsOSpAMk6m-ycna47lYzjyf-kFs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440973.jpg)

*Karim Ansarifard of Iran reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT*

![Players of Iran react after losing the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bultbv4ZyPSGPge1dhDNhR3x5oI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54440991.jpg)

*Players of Iran react after losing the FIFA World Cup 2018 group B preliminary round soccer match between Iran and Portugal in Saransk, Russia, 25 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER*

What a day. **DM**