Spain 1 Morocco 1

Although Renard’s men could not qualify from Group B after losing their first two matches, they were on track for a 2-1 victory heading into stoppage-time.

Preview: Uruguay and Russian Federation will battle for the top spot in Group A and enter the knockout rounds of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in style when they lock horns on Monday.

Spain managed to snatch a draw in the last minute of the game with help from VAR. Dani Carvajal’s cross from the right was flicked into the back of the net by the heel of substitute Aspas, who made a clever run to the near post.

Iago Aspas put Spain level in the 90th minute as he was adjudged to be in a offside position but the VAR reviewed the incident and the referee made the goal stand.

At the same time in Saransk, Paraguay official Enrique Caceres was persuaded to give Iran a penalty for a handball by Portugal’s Cedric Soares that could hardly be considered deliberate.

Isco was denied a second goal when his header was diverted wide by Romain Saiss – playing instead of dropped captain Medhi Benatia – before the late drama.

Spain and Portugal are also level on goal difference and goals scored and, since they drew, if their final results are the same the group could be decided by fair play points.

Morocco had failed to score in its opening two fixtures at Russian Federation 2018, despite two creditable performances, and had little to play for.

Iran’s late heroics against Portugal elsewhere in the group then saw Fernando Santos and his men give up first place to La Roja, who went from the brink of a defeat and second spot, to stealing a point and rising straight to the top of the standings within a couple of outlandish minutes. Since Denmark and Australia drew, they too could be split by fair play.

And many football fans have taken to social media expressing their belief that the 26-year-old could win the coveted World Cup Golden Ball award following his first three appearances in the tournament.

“When we arrived in Russian Federation the coach told us about VAR and we had to be aware of this in key moments”, he said.

The internet has unleashed a torrent of gloating against Spain defender Sergio Ramos after the defender endured a chastising night in his team’s 2-2 draw against underdogs Morocco.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and 2010 winners Spain progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on a Monday night of high drama dominated by VAR decisions, as Uruguay pipped Russian Federation to top spot in their group.

Portugal will face Uruguay in the last 16 in Sochi on Saturday.

He added: “We would have loved to have beaten Spain – that was why we came here”.

Youssef En Nesyri – who plays in Spain for Malaga – looked to have won it for Herve Renard’s side when he powered in a superb header from fellow substitute Faycal Fajr’s corner.

When they regained possession they broke with pace and objective, and almost took the lead after 55 minutes when Noureddine Amrabat´s right-foot scorcher from distance cannoned off the crossbar.

MF Isco, 8 – Had been Spain’s best player outside the penalty area in the first two games, he got his first goal of the tournament with a very calm and decisive finish and nearly added a second with a towering header at the back post.