Spain once again struggled to impress at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but it did just enough to win Group A. The Europeans drew Morocco 2-2 on Monday, but Portugal's late 1-1 draw to Iran gave Fernando Hierro's team the tiebreaker edge based on goals scored to finish in first. The result means Spain will now face host Russia in the round of 16 on Sunday. Spain had 16 shots, but just four on frame, failing to create quality chances in the final third and gave Morocco a chance to steal it. And it was the African nation which got this one going. Morocco delivered the first punch, scoring on a counter 14 minutes in thanks to Khalid Boutaib, who took advantage of Spain's lapse at the back with a great run and finish between Devid De Gea's legs: But just moments later, Spain showed what it can do in attack, working some lovely balls in the box to set up Isco for the equalizer: In the 81st minute, with both teams having chances, Youssef En Nesyri headed home from a corner for the late lead: A win for Morocco was not meant to be. Iago Aspas had his cheeky goal confirmed by video assistant referee to guarantee a 2-2 draw in the 91st minute: A heart-pumping game that could have been a disaster for Spain. Spain moves on and now look towards the match with host Russia on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET in Moscow. You can stream all World Cup matches with fuboTV (Try for free). Relive commentary from Monday's Spain vs. Morocco match If the live blog doesn't load properly, click here.<doc-sep>It gave up three goals to Portugal in the opening game, a pulsating 3-3 tie in which Cristiano Ronaldo accounted for all the scoring for the Portuguese. Morocco has nowhere near the talent of Portugal, and has no one like Ronaldo. Yet it managed to expose defensive deficiencies on Monday that Hierro said he knows he’ll need to address if his team is to go any further. “We can improve things,” Hierro said, adding, “Five goals in three matches isn’t the way forward.” Morocco took advantage of Spain’s high defensive line and seized the lead after just 14 minutes following a mix-up between two of the most experienced players on Spain’s roster. When Andrés Iniesta — the veteran midfielder who scored the World Cup-winning goal in 2010 — and the captain Sergio Ramos got in each other’s way near the halfway line, Khalid Boutaib pinched the ball away from them and raced down the field for an easy finish. Iniesta got some redemption, providing the assist for Isco five minutes later. But Morocco, backed by thousands of traveling supporters, refused to fade away in what was guaranteed to be its final match at this tournament. Boutaib made another run on goal following a simple throw down field a few minutes later. Spain’s goalkeeper, David de Gea, blocked Boutaib’s shot but could only watch as Noureddine Amrabat’s thunderbolt of a rebound bounced back off the woodwork early in the second half. Then, with just nine minutes left in regulation time, the substitute Youssef En-Nesyri rose above the Spanish defense on a corner kick and headed home a goal to make it 2-1. Spain looked to have blown the game, and their chance at winning the group, until Aspas got a flick on to Dani Carvajal’s cross in stoppage time. As he turned to celebrate, though, he could see the linesman’s flag raised, calling offside. The referee stepped in, making the signal for a video review, a new and unlikely emblem for the 2018 World Cup. Amid jeers and whistles, Spain had been saved. As they trooped off the field, relieved to still be in the tournament, the Spanish players received another bit of good news. Iran’s V.A.R.-assisted penalty had saved Spain from the prospect of a meeting with Uruguay, the tiny South American nation that revels in its nickname of “aguafiestas”, or party poopers, for the number of times it has sent bigger nations crashing out of the World Cup. Instead, Spain faces Russia, which had been overrun by Uruguay earlier in the day. “Luck of the champion? We will have to see what happens on July 1 at 5 p.m.,” Hierro said, looking forward to the next challenge in his unlikely World Cup coaching career.<doc-sep>Portugal and Iran had played 90 minutes, with Ricardo Quaresma’s stunning strike enough for Fernando Santos’ side to gain three points in Saransk. Over in Kaliningrad, Spain and Morocco had also played 90 minutes, with the Spanish losing and finishing second in Group B, behind their Iberian rivals. Then the Video Assistant Referee intervened. First, Iago Aspas – brought on as a substitute for Diego Costa – flicked the ball into the back of the net, only to be flagged offside. Simultaneously, back in Saransk, Iran were having their appeals for a handball by Cedric Soares waved away as nonsense. What followed was utter chaos as both incidents went to VAR. World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Rui Patricio 6 The new Wolves stopper stood up to the physical challenge that Iran offered, and had little to do until facing their injury time penalty. AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Adrien Silva 6 Back in the side for his first start at this World Cup, it took him a while to get up to speed. Nevertheless, he still complements his old Sporting midfield partner William very well. Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Joao Mario 6 Impressed early on with some neat flicks, but was less influential once Rezaeian got the measure of him. Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Cedric Soares 7 Able to offer Quaresma support such was the lack of Iran threat down his flank. Astonished as much as everyone else when he was penalised for a late handball. Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Pepe 7 The usual Pepe performance of combined histrionics and first class defending. AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Jose Fonte 5 Struggled to get the better of Azmoun, and was twice flattened for his troubles. REUTERS World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Raphael Guerreiro 5 Another defender given a tough evening, this time by Jahanbakhsh. A failure to deal with the Iranian's pace led to a booking. AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Ricardo Quaresma 8 Started his first World Cup game at the age of 34 and delivered a goal worthy of the stage. Some less impressive antics in the second half marred an otherwise excellent performance. EPA World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings William Carvalho 8 The heartbeat of this Portugal team. Tidy when in possession, and equally adept at winning it back. REUTERS World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Andre Silva 6 Back in the side for his first start at this World Cup, it took him a while to get up to speed. Nevertheless, he still complements his old Sporting midfield partner William very well. EPA World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Cristiano Ronaldo 6 After four goals in the opening two games, this was a frustrating night for the captain. He struggled to make chances, missed a penalty and was given a harsh yellow card following a VAR review. EPA World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Alireza Beiranvand 6 Looked a liability early on as he made a habit of spilling crosses, only to save a Ronaldo penalty in the second half. Had no chance with Quaresma's wonder goal. Reuters World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Ramin Rezaeian 7 Recovered from a tough opening where Joao Mario and Ronaldo doubled up on the left to put in a solid defensive performance. Reuters World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Majid Hosseini 7 Showed he had the acceleration to keep pace with Ronaldo when the forward threatened to get in behind the Iran defence. EPA World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Morteza Pouraliganji 7 A few lapses of concentration apart, the centre-half performed well in his battle with Portugal's impressive attack. AP World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Ehsan Hajsafi 5 Lacked composure and discipline in defence, particularly after the award of Portugal's penalty and was replaced shortly afterwards. Reuters World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Mehdi Taremi 5 Blew his country's big moment to qualify for the knockout stages but blasting his only chance into the side netting. EPA World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Alireza Jahanbakhsh 7 ran's most threatening player, he made a number of runs down the right that troubled the Portugal defence. Subbed with 20 minutes to play. AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Saeid Ezatolahi 6 Battled well in midfield as his side spent a lot of the game chasing possession. AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Omid Ebrahimi 5 Struggled to get a foothold in the game as he chased the shadows of Adrien and William. AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Vahid Amiri 6 Found himself dropping deep to help out his defence in dealing with Quaresma. REUTERS World Cup 2018: Iran vs Portugal player ratings Sardar Azmoun 7 Impressed in the first half as Iran's lone striker, bringing teammates into play with an array of neat touches. AFP/Getty Images After a lengthy wait, it was obvious that Aspas’ goal should stand, that he was onside when the ball was played towards him at the front post and that Spain should be level at 2-2. Seconds later, they had found that goal effectively counting as double as Enrique Cáceres, the referee between Portugal and Iran, was running back from the pitch-side monitor pointing to the penalty spot. Within a matter of seconds, VAR had taken Portugal from Group B winners and a trip to face tournament hosts Russia to runners-up and the far more difficult challenge of Uruguay. The decision to award the handball was universally criticised in the immediate aftermath and again proved that VAR is still down to a referee’s interpretation and the flaws that go with it. It was not the first time VAR had had its say in that game, either. Cristiano Ronaldo had gone from loving it to hating it in the space of a half of football as he was first awarded a penalty and then given a controversial yellow card. Ronaldo was brought down midway through the second 45 minutes and retrospectively awarded a penalty – one that he missed – before an off-the-ball clash between Ronaldo and Morteza Pouraliganji retrospectively earned him a yellow card. It could so easily have been a red had Cáceres interpreted it that way. Recommended How bitter subplot in Saransk reminded us Ronaldo just another player As a point of reference, the decision in each game now mean Portugal go into the half of the draw likely to contain France, Brazil, Germany and Belgium or England, while Spain have the likes of Japan, Mexico and Denmark in their half. VAR has already had a huge impact on this World Cup and now it has – rightly or wrongly – taken away a more comfortable route to the final away from Portugal and handed it to Spain. All in 120 very controversial seconds in two cities 1,202.6 miles apart.<doc-sep>
Morocco were just minutes from securing a historic win over Spain at the World Cup but instead, they were left in tatters after the video assistant referee system sparked controversy - again. Nordin Amrabat launched a scathing attack on officials after the VAR system cost Morocco a notable win over Spain on Monday night in Russia. Iago Aspas' netted a dramatic goal to earn the European giants a draw against the Moroccans and a place in the final 16. World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Show all 21 1 /21 World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Munir El Kajoui 6 EPA World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Achraf Hakimi 7 Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Manuel Da Costa 6 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Romain Saiss 7 REUTERS World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Nabil Dirar 7 REUTERS World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Karim El Ahmadi 6 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Mbark Boussoufa 7 REUTERS World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Noureddine Amrabat 7 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Younes Belhanda 6 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Hakim Ziyech 6 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Khalid Boutaib 7 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings David De Gea 5 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Gerard Pique 4 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Sergio Ramos 4 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Jordi Alba 5 AP World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Sergio Busquets 5 REUTERS World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Thiago 6 Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings David Silva 6 Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Andres Iniesta 6 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Isco 7 AFP/Getty Images World Cup 2018: Spain vs Morocco player ratings Diego Costa 6 Getty Images Initially, the goal was ruled out as offside but after a late review referee, Ravshan Irmatov overturned the decision. Amrabat was clearly furious with the ruling and turned to television cameras using the VAR sign used by referees and said: "VAR, it's bull***t". Recommended Aspas flicks Spain top of Group B with a little help from VAR This is not the only time the VAR system has caused controversy during the World Cup. Iran were awarded a spot-kick after Cedric Soares gave away a late penalty following a handball, tarnishing Portugal's dream of securing a World Cup victory. TV pundit Alan Shearer said he came close to swearing live on television after VAR decisions caused uproar during the Portugal and Iran clash on Tuesday night. Nordin Amrabat was furious with the VAR decision (BBC) He wrote on Twitter: "Well, that’s the closest I’ve been to swearing on live TV! What I really wanted to say is that VAR is complete and utter b******s!” But Gary Lineker fired back, praising VAR for making important decisions. His tweet read: "I like VAR. There, I’ve said it. It’s making the most mundane of games more dramatic. It improves most refereeing decisions, (although human error will still occur). It gives us lots to discuss and it really annoys @alanshearer. They need to remove clear & obvious edict, though."