World Cup - Matchday 12

Welcome to another WhoReps look at the 2018 World Cup. Today we'll be recapping Monday's slate of matches and looking ahead to tomorrow's action! Enjoy.
                                            
It wasn't without a little nerves and a lot of drama. But Spain and Portugal are through to the Round of 16, like most predicted when this group was drawn. The Portuguese tied with Iran 1-1, while Spain and Morocco also drew, at 2-2. That leaves Spain atop the group, with Portugal behind them. Iran is out. Morocco, already eliminated, made things very interesting by taking an early lead and then another lead late. Had they won by two goals, Spain would've been out. But an extra time goal from Spain's Iago Aspas off a corner tied it back up at two and broke Iranian hearts.
 
It's a bitter end for a very deserving Iran side. To acquit yourselves so well against some of the top nations in the world, and have little to show for it, is a cruel fate. Keeper Alireza Beiranvand, formerly a homeless pizza delivery man, is likely to have some interest from European clubs after a great showing. But thats little consolation right now. The anguish on their faces as the whistle blew told the story. These chances at glory don't come around often.

Manager Carlos Quieroz, who is Portuguese but has managed the Iranian team since 2011, was furious after the match at the clear lack of control the referees exhibited. Things got very testy on both sides as the desperation creeped up, with yellow cards aplenty. Cristiano Ronaldo was fortunate to avoid a red following a dangerous elbow. Trailing 1-0, Karim Ansafaridad put home a penalty in extra time that tied the game and gave the Iranians a last chance at hope. With just minutes remaining, they threw their entire offense forward in hopes of a second goal that would eliminate the Portuguese. But it didn't materialize. Better luck in 2022.

Earlier, in Group A, safe passage to the knockout rounds wasn't up for grabs. Uruguay and Russia had already secured it, by virtue of their wins over both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. But Uruguay dominated the Russians start to finish in their final match, giving them first place in the group. Luis Suarez put home a free kick in the 9th minute, and Russia never challenged them from there in the 3-0 waxing. Another own goal, this time from Russian winger Denis Cherysev, as well as a 90th minute smash from striker Edinson Cavani, completed the scoring. Uruguay becomes the first World Cup team since Argentina in 1998, and just the fifth team ever, to win all three group stage matches without conceding a goal. 
 
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia outdueled disappointing Egypt 2-1 in their finale, with nothing but pride on the line. After star Mo Salah put home a beautiful touch over the keeper in the first half, Egypt seemed content to just sit back and expect a positive result. Instead, the Saudis evened the score on a penalty just before halftime, and then winger Salem Al-Dawsar struck one past the Egyptian defense in the dying seconds of the game to steal a victory for Saudi Arabia. In retrospect, their opening night thrashing at the hands of the Russians looks much more like an aberration than the norm. But Egypt, a team some expected to make it out of the group, leaves this World Cup winless and embarassed.

The knockout round matches are set! Uruguay takes on Portugal, while Spain faces off with host nation Russia in the Round of 16. Stay tuned to WhoReps' as we recap it all!