Spain has squeezed through to the knock-out stages round of the World Cup after drawing 2-2 with Morocco – helped by VAR - whilst a 1-1 draw between Iran and Portugal means La Roja finished top of Group B with their western neighbour second.
Spain had plenty to worry about after Khalid Boutaïb scored the first goal of the match for Morocco in the 14th minute thanks to a joint blunder between Sergio Ramos and Andrés Iniesta, but Isco levelled up in minute 19 after Iniesta redeemed himself by setting up a goal with a neat series of shots between him and Diego Costa.
David de Gea successfully blocked what looked set to be a second Boutaïb goal, but it was the post which saved Spain from Nordin Amrabat's crack shot.
Isco was also unlucky when Romain Saïss sent his header wide, preventing Spain from taking the lead, and La Roja was starting to fear they would be leaving Russia on the next plane when Youssef En-Nesyri converted a corner in the 81st minute to put Morocco on 2-1.
It was Iago Aspas who saved the match with a stoppage-time equaliser, but for a heart-stopping moment, his second goal for Spain looked set to be declared offside.
The goal – one minute into extra time - was finally allowed, seeing a shaky Spain emerge level with a very on-form Morocco to finish on 2-2 and complaining bitterly about how VAR had robbed them of a chance at World Cup victory on their 29th attempt.
Isco described the match against Spain's southern neighbour as 'really tough', but the midfielder insists he still has 'complete faith' in his team.
An unexpected late equaliser by Iran left Portugal fans stunned – along with everyone else who was following Group B's fortunes as they confidently expected the team captained by legendary Cristiano Ronaldo to sail home with little effort – and Iran narrowly missed scoring a second time, which would have knocked Portugal out altogether.
But luck was not on Iran's side, and the match ended on 1-1 with Portugal second in Group B and due to play Uruguay on Saturday in Sochi.
Ronaldo's national team will have its work cut out, since Uruguay has not dropped a single one of its three matches so far.
Spain will avoid a showdown with its former colony, facing host team Russia on Sunday.
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