Despite the tournament having only reached its halfway point, there have now been more penalties awarded at the World Cup in Russia than in any previous edition.

During the match between Portugal and Iran in Saransk, Paraguayan referee Enrique Caceres awarded Portugal a penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo's effort was saved following a video assistant referee (VAR) review against Iran, which was the record 19th spot kick awarded in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Socceroos have scored both their goals from the penalty spot.

The record was extended to 20 penalties in stoppage time as Iran were awarded a controversial spot-kick for a handball against Cedric Soares, which Karim Ansarifard duly converted.

The most penalties previously given at a World Cup was 18 spot kicks awarded at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the 1998 World Cup in France and and the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.