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Wed, 20 June 2018
FIFA World Cup: Spain 0 Iran 0
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23:53 FIFA World Cup: Spain 0 Iran 0
A lot of support for Iran at the Kazan Arena and every touch is greeted by a huge cheer for the Asian team.
So far, Diego Costa has not enjoyed any space to create something, like he did in the opening game against Portugal.
Iran threaten with a dangerous cross in the box by Mehdi Taremi, who beats the off-side trap but his cross finds no takers as it goes right across the Spain box.
After 20 minutes, it's still goalless in Kazan.
23:50 FIFA World Cup: Spain 0 Iran 0
Spain earn a free kick in the 10th minute but Gerard Pique heads it wide. The 2010 champions are not able to break through with Iran defending bravely and breaking Spain's attack at every possible opportunity.
Spain have had most of the possession but Iran are not bothered, they are content to stay back and weather the attack.
23:19 Carvajal returns for Spain, Iran drop captain Shojaei
2010 champions Spain head into the second match at Kazan Arena eager for a win under new coach Fernando Hierro, having been held to a 3-3 draw by Iberian rivals Portugal.
Hierro replaced Lopetegui after he was sensationally fired two days before the opener, but the 50-year-old's appointment triggered reports in the Spanish media that alleged players were divided over the change.
Spain, with its mix of proven World Cup winners and young stars, will be heavy favourites to emerge from Kazan with maximum points, though the Carlos Queiroz-coached Iranians top Group B after beating Morocco 1-0 in their opener.
Hierro replaced Lopetegui after he was sensationally fired two days before the opener, but the 50-year-old's appointment triggered reports in the Spanish media that alleged players were divided over the change.
Spain, with its mix of proven World Cup winners and young stars, will be heavy favourites to emerge from Kazan with maximum points, though the Carlos Queiroz-coached Iranians top Group B after beating Morocco 1-0 in their opener.
23:13 World Cup: Carvajal returns for Spain, Iran drop captain Shojaei
Spain defender Dani Carvajal has been recalled for Wednesdays World Cup match against Iran, replacing Nacho from the starting side that drew with Portugal, after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Fernando Hierro has also included forward Lucas Vazquez, with Koke making way as Spains new coach seeks more dynamism to unlock a cagey Iran defence at Kazan Arena.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz dropped captain Masoud Shojaei to the substitutes in a mild surprise, with the suspended Saeid Ezatolahi recalled and Ehsan Hajsafi to wear the captains arm-band.
Defender Majid Hosseini replaces the injured centre back Rouzbeh Cheshmi as Iran seek a second successive win after their 1-0 victory over Morocco.
Fernando Hierro has also included forward Lucas Vazquez, with Koke making way as Spains new coach seeks more dynamism to unlock a cagey Iran defence at Kazan Arena.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz dropped captain Masoud Shojaei to the substitutes in a mild surprise, with the suspended Saeid Ezatolahi recalled and Ehsan Hajsafi to wear the captains arm-band.
Defender Majid Hosseini replaces the injured centre back Rouzbeh Cheshmi as Iran seek a second successive win after their 1-0 victory over Morocco.
19:25 Ronaldo's goal gives Portugal victory
Cristiano Ronaldo drilled in a fourth minute header to give Portugal a
1-0 win over Morocco in their World Cup Group B match.
Morocco are the first team to be knocked out of the World Cup.
19:21 Portugal 1 Morocco 0
A terrible mistake from Raphael Guerreiro on the edge of the box as he first loses the ball and then brings Ronaldo down to give Portugal a free kick, in the 84th minute.
Unbelievable! Ronaldo has slammed it straight into the wall yet again...
19:06 Portugal 1 Morocco 0
Morocco are desperate for a goal which should keep their hopes alive but so far they have found it difficult to break down Portugal's resolve.
Portugal are content to sit back and defend their lead as Morocco keep pressing forward.
Just 15 minutes to go as Morocco inch closer to the World Cup exit, while Portugal are nearing in on a place in the next round.
18:51 Portugal 1 Morocco 0
Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio has made an unbelievable save to keep his team's lead intact. He dives full length to his right to keep out the header from Younes Belhanda off a free kick, in the 57th minute.
A few minutes later, Mehdi Benatia shoots over the bar from just outside the box.
18:42 Portugal 1 Morocco 0
Portugal start the second half in the right fashion as they win an early corner but Morocco manage to see it off.
Portugal nearly have another goal. The impressive Goncalo Guedes lays it for Ronaldo just outside the box following a quick free kick but the striker shoots well wide of the goal.
18:24 Portugal lead Morocco 1-0 at halftime
Cristiano Ronaldo drilled in a fourth minute header to give Portugal a
1-0 lead over Morocco at halftime in their World Cup Group B match on
Wednesday and take his goal tally at the tournament to four.
Morocco, who will become the first team who are unable to progress to the next stage if they lose, found space to attack but had trouble getting into the Portuguese box.
18:20 Portugal lead 1-0 at halftime
Portugal miss an easy chance to double their lead as Goncalo Guedes fails to beat Morocco goalkeeper Monir El Kajoui.
That was another good pass from Ronaldo but Guedes failed to capitalise.
So that's the halftime break as Portugal take a 1-0 lead into the interval.
18:02
Portugal get a free kick on the edge of the box after Joao Maria is brought down by a Morocco defender.
Morocco's players are unhappy with the call and this is Ronaldo territory. He is ready to wind up and swing another free kick into the net, like he did against Spain. But hold on, Ronaldo has smashed his free kick into the Morocco wall.
18:00
Ronaldo brought down, in the 26th minute. Took a hard knock from Morocco's Benatia in the side of his leg, near the shin, and he is down in considerable pain.
Morocco coach Herve Renard is visibly annoyed and has a word with the referee over a possible VAR referral after one of his players was brought down, but the foul was outside the penalty area so no chance of VAR.
17:57 Ronaldo gives Portugal early lead vs Morocco
20 minutes up!
It's Morocco attacking, with short passes. They are threatening and Portugal are content to defend their early lead.
17:47 Ronaldo gives Portugal early lead vs Morocco
Ronaldo nearly doubles Portugal's lead in the ninth minute but drags his shot just wide of the Morocco goalkeeper.
'Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored more international goals than any other European player in the history of football (85 goals for Portugal). Historic,' tweets OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
Another interesting stats on the Portuguese legend courtesy of OptaJoe.
"Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first Portugal player since Jos Torres in 1966 to score a goal with his right foot, left foot and head in a single World Cup tournament. Collection."
17:36 Ronaldo gives Portugal early lead vs Morocco
Portugal take the lead as early as the fourth minute.
And who else other than Cristiano Ronaldo! He heads in from Joao Moutinho's cross from the right.
Morocco's players had hardly warmed up before Ronaldo made his presence felt with his fourth goal of the World Cup.
17:29
All eyes will once be again on Portugal's superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain.
Meanwhile, Morocco will be aiming to bounce back after their 1-0 loss to Iran.
17:18 Joao Mario starts for Portugal, Guedes keeps place
Midfielder Joao Mario was included in Portugal's starting line-up for the World Cup Group B match against Morocco on Tuesday in the only change from the team which started the 3-3 draw against Spain.
Joao Mario, a key player in the team which won the European Championship two years ago, replaced Manuel Fernandes while Goncalo Guedes kept his place in attack, again being preferred to Andre Silva.
Morocco made three changes to the team which lost 1-0 to Iran as defenders Manuel da Costa and Nabil Dirar and forward Khalid Boutaib were all included.
Da Costa, born in France to Portuguese and Moroccan parents, played for Portugal at under-21 and under-23 level before choosing to represent the North Africans at senior level.
Joao Mario, a key player in the team which won the European Championship two years ago, replaced Manuel Fernandes while Goncalo Guedes kept his place in attack, again being preferred to Andre Silva.
Morocco made three changes to the team which lost 1-0 to Iran as defenders Manuel da Costa and Nabil Dirar and forward Khalid Boutaib were all included.
Da Costa, born in France to Portuguese and Moroccan parents, played for Portugal at under-21 and under-23 level before choosing to represent the North Africans at senior level.
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