Photo: FIFA.com
Day 12 summary – hosts beaten by rampant Uruguay
Iran were the one side who went in to the day with any hope of qualification who were eliminated today. Morocco, Egypt and Saudi Arabia were already out but the Moroccans made an impact on the tournament by taking the lead against Spain twice.
The highlight of the day though was a splendid Uruguay win over hosts Russia who admittedly played the last 62 minutes with ten men, By then though, it was already 2-0 to the Celeste.
Europe’s ugly day then continued later as neither Spain or Portugal managed to win their third game over African and Asian opposition. Saudi Arabia hauled Asia off the bottom of the table with a 2-1 win over Egypt.
Russia 0 : 3 Uruguay
Luis Suarez gave Uruguay the lead direct from a free kick. Later on in the first half, Denis Cheryshev deflected the ball into his own net from a Diego Laxalt effort. Russia were reduced to ten men in the 28th minute when Igor Smalnikov was shown a second yellow card. Cavani added a late third.
Egypt 1 : 2 Saudi Arabia
Mo Salah gave Egypt the lead, but the oldest player in World Cup history Egyptian keeper Essam El-Hadary saved a Saudi penalty. A second Saudi penalty by Salman Al-Faraj in the sixth minute of first half stoppage time, leveled the affair. In the fifth minute of stoppage time in the second half, Salem Al-Dawsari gave Saudi Arabia a winner, and Asia a vital win over Africa.
Spain 2 : 2 Morocco
Morocco took the lead twice in this absorbing game. A rare Andres Iniesta mistake allowed Khalid Boutaïb through on goal in the 14th minute. Isco pulled Spain level five minutes later. However, Spain got a real fright in the 81st minute when already eliminated Morocco took the lead courtesy of Malaga’s Youssef En-Nesyri. By the time Iran had scored the goal that would have spelled real problems for Spain though, Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas had pulled Spain level and ensured their progress.
Portugal 1 : 1 Iran
Portugal controlled this game with 73% of the possession. Ricardo Quaresma put them ahead with a superb effort before Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty, which was saved splendidly by Alireza Beiranvand. In stoppage time though, the VAR awarded Iran a penalty which Karim Ansarifard converted to secure a point.
It was not enough though to prevent Portugal and Spain qualifying. Ronaldo was extremely fortunate to only get a yellow for an elbow which the VAR adjudged to be not quite worthy of a red.
