Five things we learned: IR Iran 1-1 Portugal
Quaresma should be starting and the referees are having a big impact through VAR. Five things we learned from the draw between IR Iran and Portugal.
QUARESMA SHOULD HAVE BEEN STARTING ALL ALONG
It has taken until age 34 for Ricardo Quaresma to finally be given his chance at a World Cup for Portugal, but the veteran winger is making up for lost time.
A first start finally came his way in this must-win game against Iran, and it was he who found the route to goal with a brilliant curling strike with the outside of his boot.
After all the years, the waiting and the frustration, his first shot on target at the finals resulted in the most spectacular of goals.
THE GOLDEN BOOT RACE REMAINS OPEN
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in scintillating form at the start of this World Cup, but he spurned the chance to go level at the top of the scorers charts against Iran.
Harry Kane's hat-trick leaves him with five from two games, and the Portuguese legend had the chance to reach the same tally from the penalty spot - but saw his low effort saved by Ali Beiranvand.
Doubtless he'll have further chances to add to his tally in the knock-outs, but after being the early pace-setter he's now one goal off the top having played a game more.
REFEREES CAN MAKE CRAZY DECISIONS REVIEWING VAR
The three big talking points of the match were Portugal's penalty, Iran's penalty and a possible red card for Ronaldo.
All were either missed or ignored by the referee, but when called to review the decisions through VAR...he opted to change his mind each time.
Ronaldo's penalty was fine, but there's no question Iran's was not a spot-kick, a million miles from a deliberate handball.
And as for Cristiano's apparent elbow, he can consider himself extremely fortunate to not be facing a three-match suspension. A yellow card? It's either not a foul, or a red for an elbow.
DESTINY DECIDED IN A SPLIT-SECOND
Mehdi Taremi was one shot away from immortality in Iran. One shot which would have changed the course of the entire group.
Score, deep into stoppage time, and he would have sent Portugal out, Iran top and pushed Spain into second.
Instead, he hit the side-netting...and Iran ended in third, out of the World Cup. Such fine margins, even if they were only level in the first place because of a fortuitous penalty.
ONE WIN ENOUGH TO PROGRESS
Hope for teams everywhere who struggle to put the ball in the net: Portugal - and indeed Spain - are through to the last 16 after winning just one group game.
They were not entirely convincing at any point, and surely have much more to give, but Portugal won't be able to draw their way to the World Cup final as they did in the Euros two years ago.