Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Iran vs Portugal, LIVE World Cup 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo misses VAR penalty - Latest score, goals and updates plus prediction, how to watch online, team news, line-ups

Follow all the action in the final games of Group B

Sam Dymond
Monday 25 June 2018 20:27 BST
Comments
Portugal World Cup profile

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Portugal are emerging as a side very likely to go far in the tournament and have a chance to show strong signs of intent against Iran. The Selecao will face either Russia or Uruguay in the round of 16 and are bidding to finish above bitter rivals Spain in the process.

Iran, who have nothing to play for, are likely to try and sit back and frustrate in a similar way to how they played when they lost 1-0 to Spain after playing six across the back line.

Cristiano Ronaldo is vying for the Golden Boot with Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku and will be itching to put a few past Portugal’s inferior opponents to bolster his tally.

Follow all the live action below...

Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

What time is it?

Iran vs Portugal kicks off at 19:00 at Saransk’s Mordovia Arena.

Where can I watch it?

BBC will be showing live coverage on BBC 1 and online on the BBC Sport website.

Odds:

Iran: 5/1

Portugal: 4/6

Draw: 5/2

Prediction:

2-0. Iran proved they can be a stubborn defence to score past against Spain and are likely to play similar tactics against Portugal. The difference will be this time they have less motivation to keep their opponents out, and Portugal have Ronaldo who is proving he can win games on his own.

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the final round of Group B matches.

Following Uruguay's success in Group A earlier today, attention now turns to Kaliningrad and Saransk where Spain, Iran and Portugal are all in with a chance of topping the second section.

Finishing first would set up a Last 16 fixture with host nation Russia on Sunday while the prize for second spot is a meeting with Uruguay Saturday night.

Team news from Spain v Morocco and Iran v Portugal is on the way... 

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 17:54

Spain v Morocco

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 17:54

Iran v Portugal

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 17:59

Here's a reminder of how we got to this point in Group B.

Last time out, Portugal scraped past Morocco thanks to a headed goal from...well, who else?

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 18:17

While Spain had to rely on Diego Costa and VAR as they just about got through a difficult evening with Iran.

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 18:18

Facepaints continue to do a roaring trade in Saransk.

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 18:29

Cristiano Ronaldo is out warming up for Portugal alongside Ricardo Quaresma.

"Just stay out of the way over there so that you don't upstage me like you did at Euro 2016."

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 18:34

Twelve years on, not much has changed.

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 18:37

Meanwhile, Spain will be confident of landing the victory that could confirm them as group winners.

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 18:45

Fans inside the Mordovia Arena will be hoping for plenty of gools tonight.

Sam Dymond25 June 2018 18:50

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in