Iran v Portugal player ratings

It was a frenetic start from both sides, with Iran pushing to cause Portugal problems and had plenty of chances on the counter.

With a moment of genius just before the break, Ricardo Quaresma hit a shot with the outside of his right foot from outside the penalty area to finish with class. Rolling back the years in a memorable moment. 

In good use of the VAR, a penalty was awarded to Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half, but goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand denied him spectacularly. 

Then, in stoppage time, a handball by Cedric gave Iran a chance from the spot and Karim Ansarifard equalised, but it was not enough and Portugal breathed a sigh of relief.

Group B once again provided the goods in another fiery contest as Portugal and Spain go through.

Iran

Ali Beiranvand - 7

A case of the jitters in the opening ten minutes. Denied Ronaldo from the spot. 

Ehsan Haji Safi - 6.5

Looked dangerous and was great on the defensive side. Was caught out by a energetic Quaresma on the wing. Subbed off due to a booking. 

Morteza Pouraliganji - 6.5

Defended out of is skin, along with the others, until they were finally broken down.

Majid Hosseini - 7

Did well to block a dangerous Quaresma cross. Solid in moments.

Ramin Rezaeian - 6

Kept composure well. His free-kick early in the first half was on target and just missed the mark.

Vahid Amiri - 7.5

Looked to cause a whole lot of problems for Portugal by dribbling forward with pace and making runs off the ball. Couldn't cease his moment of destiny as he hit the side netting.

Omid Ebrahimi - 7.5

Remained firm in the defensive third. Thwarted Ronaldo and kept him quiet. Huge in midfield for Iran.

Saeid Ezatolahi - 7

Close-range header found the arms of Patricio. Gave away penalty, bringing down Ronaldo.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh - 7

Bursted down the wing and was threatening, getting involved whenever possible. Lovely free-kicks. Continued to threaten in the second half. 

Mehdi Taremi - 7.5

Great work in the build-up play and had a brilliant first half. Sent a scarily good ball in for Amiri.

Sardar Azmoun - 6.5

Looked lively, a better performance than the previous two matches. Despite a great performance, he couldn't make an impact and back it up with a goal. 

Subs

Milad Mohammadi - 6.5

Got involved early and stuck to his guns in the face of Quaresma.

Saman Ghoddos- 6

Had a chance in what would have been some introduction.

Karim Ansarifard - 6.5

Gave his nation a glimmer of hope when he converted the penalty to equalise.

Portugal

Rui Patricio - 6.5

Put his body (or face) on the line to make a crucial save.

Raphael Guerreiro - 7

Worked hard down the wing and mopped up at the back. Made a headed clearance in the second half after a promising cross.

Jose Fonte - 5.5

Struggled with the counter attacks but managed to get there just in time.

Pepe - 8.5

Made clearances after a few scares in the box, but won the ball most of the time. Steered away Iran's threat brilliantly in the second half. Steered his side from the back through a testing night.

Cedric - 6.5

Did well defensively and got the ball up-field. Gave away the penalty with a handball by the decision of the VAR.

Joao Mario - 7

Dictated play, great link-up. Got in between lines, breaking down Iran's defence. Won back possession well. 

Andrien Silva - 6.5

Got involved, passed accurately. Nice little back-heel assist.

William - 6.5

Set up Quaresma for the goal. Controlled midfield perfectly. Fought for the ball and did it well. 

Ricardo Quaresma - 8

Blasted a shot over the bar. Provided countless crosses as he found space. Pressed on with attack and created the breakthrough with a sublime strike. His passing was magical with 94 percent accuracy.