It took a video review of an injury-time equalizer to give Spain first place in its World Cup group.
Spain substitute Iago Aspas scored the late goal Monday in a 2-2 draw with Morocco in Kaliningrad, Russia. His clever deflection off a cross from Dani Carvajal was initially disallowed for offside, but the video assistant referee overruled the call at Kaliningrad Stadium.
“Until the last minute, we weren’t sure who was going to finish first and second,” Spain coach Fernando Hierro said. “And I have to say we were lucky to finish first.”
The decision set off a touchline melee among players from both sides.
Recommended Video:
Uruguay topped Group A after defeating the ten-man hosts Russia with two first-half goals and a late third in the second half put them on their way to victory. Goals from Luis Suarez and an own goal from Denis Cheryshev put Uruguay in a good position in the first half, whilst Igor Smolnikov was given his marching orders for two bookable offences. Edison Cavani scored near stoppage time in the second half. Luis Suarez caught the Russian defence off guard as he curled in a lowly driven free-kick into the corner of Akinfeev's goal. Cheryshev who is Russia's top score at this World Cup conceded an own goal, as Laxalt's shot deflected off of him for Uruguay's second. Igor Smolnikov was shown a second yellow card to add to Russia's misery. Dzyuba had the chance to score a consolation goal for Russia in the second half but completely fluffed his lines. It was three as Diego Godin saw his header saved by Akinfee from a corner but Edison Cavani was there on the rebound, to inflict more damage onto the fatigued ten men. Five takeaways from the match Superb atmosphere Despite the defeat, the atmosphere created by both the Uruguayan and Russian supporters was great. The Russians really backed their team until conceding the second goal. Uruguay show the class at the right time This was the first real test for either side and the South Americans came out on top in this one. Suarez's goal was smart thinking, along with Laxalt and Cavani's efforts and they could have had a few more. Sturdy Uruguay It's a third consecutive clean sheet for Óscar Tabárez's men. This is good reading going into the knockouts and will give them confidence against stronger opposition attacks which is either to be Iran, Spain or Portugal. Discipline for Russia Those two yellow cards really cost Russia. A number of yellow cards already handed to the players had some walking on eggshells. Rodriguez a handful Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez may be a handful but 32-year-old Cristian Rodriguez looks their next best-attacking outlet. After coming on, he tested Akinfeev a number of times. He could be the man to look to if the other two go missing.
Media: EuronewsHierro took over as Spain’s coach on the eve of the World Cup when Julen Lopetegui was fired after taking the job at Real Madrid. Now he is heading to the World Cup’s knockout stage.
A rare mix-up by Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos gifted Morocco its first goal of the World Cup, with Khalid Boutaib pouncing on the loose ball and scoring in the 14th minute. Iniesta made amends five minutes later by setting up Isco at the other end with a clever cutback pass to bring Spain level at halftime.
Youssef En Nesyri then headed in a goal in the 81st minute to give already-eliminated Morocco hope of a victory.
With Portugal also drawing with Iran, Spain progressed as group winner because it scored more goals.
Spain is through and is on a 23-match unbeaten run, but it was far from convincing in group play and again displayed defensive frailties to concede twice against a Morocco team that hadn’t scored a goal in its two previous group matches.
Uruguay 3, Russia 0: Luis Suarez, who has been on his best behavior in Russia, scored twice as Uruguay swept through the group stage with three straight victories. The two-time champions advance to the knockout round for the third straight World Cup.
Both teams were already assured of spots in the knockout round, but Uruguay’s victory put it at the top of Group A and looking toward a match in Sochi on Saturday against Portugal.
Uruguay, which also benefited from an own-goal in the first half, had its third straight shutout of the tournament. The Uruguayans and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera have not allowed a goal in any of the team’s six matches this year.
By advancing to the round of 16 with victories over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Russia secured its best World Cup showing in the post-Soviet era. But Uruguay — ranked No. 14 in the world — posed a far greater challenge to the hosts.
Suarez is the all-time leading scorer for Uruguay with 53 international goals in 101 appearances. But his two past World Cups have been marked by controversy: He was sent home from Brazil four years ago for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. In 2010, he used his hands to block Dominic Adiyiah’s header and then celebrated when Ghana missed the penalty kick. Uruguay won in a shootout, and Suarez was marked as a dirty player.
Saudi Arabia 2, Egypt 1: The oldest person to play in a World Cup match made some spectacular saves. He also watched two go past him.
Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, 45, took the field for his team’s final group match to set the record. Although he saved one penalty, he couldn’t stop Saudi Arabia from winning 2-1 at Volgograd in a game between two teams that had already been eliminated.
“I am very sorry for the fans, for everyone in Egypt,” El Hadary said. “I want to thank my teammates. It was a great honor for me to play.”
Mohamed Salah had put Egypt ahead in the 22nd minute after deftly controlling a long ball from Abdalla Said and then lobbing goalkeeper Yasser Almosailem. It was Egypt’s first goal in open play at the World Cup since 1934.