A game of the utmost importance. Iran have a chance to enter the knock-out stages with a win over Portugal this evening. Portugal merely require a draw.
If Iran did achieve this however, what would make it even sweeter is that Team Melli coach Carlos Queiroz not only hails from Portugal, but also managed their national team for two years between 2008 and 2010, helping them to qualify for South Africa.
It will, however, be no less of a shock if Iran manage victory over Portugal to send them through to the Last-16 for the first time in their history, and helping to deny Cristiano Ronaldo the trophy he so desperately craves.
The match kicks of at 7pm (BST) at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk.
Iran
Iran have produced two stellar if not particularly glamorous performances in Group A, snatching victory away from a better Morocco side and pushing out former World Champions Spain to lose by just the single goal. Queiroz’s side are now on three points and need a victory to secure passage into the knock-put stages. An unlikely Spain loss to Morocco in their own game would even see Team Melli go top.
Players To Watch
Captain Ehsan Haksafi is a big miss for Team Melli after two brilliant performances in their opening two games. Milad Mohammadi, who came on for the skipper with twenty minutes remaining against Spain, should deputise again at left-back.
Karim Ansarifard was a surprise inclusion instead of the mercurial Alireza Jahanbakhsh on the left-wing against Spain. Jahanbaksh should regain his place and try to pull his team through.
Absences
Ehsan Hajsafi suffered a thigh injury against Spain and is a doubt to participate.
Predicted Line-Up
Alireza Beiranvand - Milad Mohammadi - Morteza Pouraliganji - Maid Hosseini - Ramin Rezaeian - Saied Ezatolahi - Omid Ebrahimi - Medhi Taremi - Vahid Amiri - Alireza Jahanbakhsh - Sardar Azmoun
Portugal
Following England forward Harry Kane’s hat-trick over Panama, Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself in his unwelcome second spot. It’s sensible to think that the Real Madrid magician is of the belief that runner up is first loser. CR7 can put himself on top of the goalscoring charts once again with a stellar performance rewarded by at least a brace.
Portugal cannot go into this lightly thinking that progression is a given. Iran put up a tough fight against Spain and are likely to do the same again, knowing that history can be made.
Players To Watch
Andre Silva must be feeling hard-done by, by not even making minutes in the last game against Morocco when Portugal only had a slender lead thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo. Guedes has not left a mark on either game after being preferred and it might be time for the young AC Milan centre-forward to come in in the PSG man’s place
Absences
Raphael Guerreiro has a recurrence of a leg injury and is likely not to be selected.
Joao Moutinho has been suffering from an illness.
Predicted Line-Up
Rui Patricio - Mario Rui - Jose Fonte - Pepe - Cedric Soares - William Carvalho - Adrien Silva - Joao Mario - Bernardo Silva - Andre Silva - Cristiano Ronaldo
Did You Know?
Iran are winless in seven World Cup meetings against European sides (D1 L6), with that draw coming against Scotland in 1978.
Portugal on-the-other-hand have won three of their four World Cup games against Asian opposition, only losing against host nation South Korea in 2002.
Prediction: Iran 1-1 Portugal
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