FIFA World Cup 2018 Group B - Historical Football Kits

and FIFA World Cup 2018 Group B

world cup 2018 poster This group pitted the European champions, Portugal, against their arch rivals, Spain, a match that was expected to be the highlight of the group stages. The Spanish team was rocked when their coach, Julen Lopetegui, got the sack two days before the tournament started in what was widely seen as a fit of pique by the president of the Spanish Football Federation after it was announced that he (Lopetegui) would become manager of Real Madrid after the World Cup ended.

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Morocco

Iran

Morocco 0 Iran 1

Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg
15 June

As the match went into injury time it seemed a draw was inevitable, a result that neither side wanted given how hard it would be to take points off Spain and Portugal. Then, in the fifth and final minute of added time, Aziz Bouhaddouz dove to intercept an incoming free-kick only to divert the ball into his own goal. This was Iran's first win in the final stages for 20 years.

(Jouko Saarinen)

Portugal

Spain

Portugal 3 Spain 3

Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
15 June

Rarely do matches as eagerly anticipated as this one was live up to expectations but here, expectations were exceeded. Portugal led from the fourth minute after Ronaldo won and converted a penalty. Spain fought back, equalised, fell behind and then equalised again in the 55th minute. Three minutes after that they took the lead and were now playing with authority and confidence, retaining possession with short passing moves. Then, in the 88th minute Ronaldo took a free-kick which he curled over and round the wall, inches from a leaping defender, and into the net before the goalkeeper could react. This was his 51st hat-trick.

Portugal

Morocco

Portugal 1 Morocco 0

Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
20 June

Ronaldo continued his remarkable start to this World Cup by scoring what proved to be the winner in the fourth minute, knocking Morocco out of the tournament.

Iran

Spain

Iran 0 Spain 1

Kazan Arena, Kazan
20 June

Iran played a deep 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to frustrate their opponents and held on until the 54th minute when the ball ricocheted into the net to give Costa a very fortuitous goal. Iran thought they had equalised a little later but Ezatolahi's effort was ruled out by the assistant referee and the VAR for offside.

(Jouko Saarinen)

Iran

Portugal

Iran 1 Portugal 1

Mordovia Arena, Saransk
25 June

The match was dominated by controversial VAR decisions and marred by play-acting and ill-temper. Quaresma scored for Portugal just before half-time with a stunning curled drive into the far corner. Tensions rose in the second half as Iran, playing with passion, fought back. Ronaldo missed a penalty and was fortunate not to be dismissed for elbowing an opponent after a lengthy VAR review. By this stage players were crowding round the referee at every opportunity trying to influence his decisions and the match became a shambles. Iran scored from a late penalty, awarded after yet another doubtful VAR decision and might have won when Mehdi Taremi missed a sitter in injury time.

(Jouko Saarinen)

Spain

Morocco

Spain 2 Morocco 2

Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
25 June

Although Morocco were already eliminated they were determined not leave quietly. Khalid Boutaïb opened the scoring after a terrible mix up in the Spanish defence. Isco equalised five minutes later. Both teams had good chances in the second half and when Youssef En-Nesyri headed home powerfully from a corner, it appeared his side were on course for an unlikely victory. In injury time, however, Iago Aspas flicked home from a low cross but was initially given offside. A VAR review, however, revealed that he was exactly in line with the last defender and the goal stood. The result left Spain top of the group ahead of Portugal on goals scored.