Iran coach furious with VAR after Cristiano Ronaldo escaped red in World Cup draw

Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/105003539/iran-coach-furious-with-var-after-cristiano-ronaldo-escaped-red-in-world-cup-draw

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz was so furious with the World Cup's video assistant referee system that he turned his post-match news conference following the 1-1 draw with Portugal on Monday (Tuesday NZ time) into a lengthy rant against FIFA's implementation of the technology.

Queiroz was angered that Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo was not issued a red card when his elbow struck Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji in the face. Ronaldo had aggressively initiated contact from behind on the play.

During a 20-minute rant Queiroz, who is Portuguese, says in English: "I'm not talking about the ref, talking about one system.

Cristiano Ronaldo was yellow carded but Iran's coach felt it was red.

"Thousands of dollars, five guys sitting upstairs and they don't see an elbow? Give me a break."

The day before the Group B finale between Iran and Portugal, Queiroz said he supported the video review for obvious mistakes. But he made it clear he was against its overuse in this tournament to address debatable judgment calls.

Queiroz said coaches also must be kept informed in real time - or be able to see the replays themselves - as plays are being reviewed.

"The only people who cannot see what happens in the game is the coach," Queiroz said. He added that FIFA president Gianni Infantino "needs to say, 'Something is wrong here. We need to make it right'."

Iran's Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz ranted about VAR after their 1-1 draw with Portugal.

Queiroz strongly stated his belief that FIFA is doing a poor job making it clear to the public what is being reviewed and why calls are changed.

Instead, he said the system allows referees to "wash their hands" of controversial calls, and was upset that coaches get no timely information.

"There are a few people that are running the show behind the scenes," he said. "The truth must be respected and we need to know who is refereeing the games."

Iran's Morteza Pouraliganji on the ground after Ronaldo made contact.

PORTUGAL SLIP TO SECOND

Ronaldo's earlier missed penalty in Kazan would cost Portugal first place in Group B.

It could have been worse if not for Ricardo Quaresma, who started for the first time in the tournament and scored his maiden World Cup goal with a shot that had about as much flare as any in the tournament.

Portugal had to settle with finishing second and the 2016 European champions will next face Uruguay in the round of 16 in Sochi on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).

"The conclusion and the most important thing is we're going to continue playing," Portugal coach Fernando Santos said. "We had a strong opponent."

Quaresma became the only player other than Ronaldo to score for the Portuguese in three games in Russia.

The 34-year-old midfielder also became Portugal's oldest scorer in World Cup play by hitting a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area that went beyond the reach of diving Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand.

Quaresma's goal came on a night when Ronaldo - who had scored all four Portugal goals in its first two games of Group B play - was denied on a penalty by Beiranvand.

"We were on top of the game until the penalty, and we didn't make it. It wasn't perfect, but that's football," Santos said. "We did what was expected and now we have to settle down and think about Uruguay."

Ricardo Quaresma, left, celebrates with team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his team's goal against Iran.

Karim Ansarifard scored a late penalty for Iran, who needed to win to advance but couldn't break through a second time despite a furious charge in the waning minutes.

The penalty was awarded after a video review showed a handball in the area against Portugal. But although Iran coach Carolos Queiroz benefited from that review, he railed against the system for the second day in a row.

Spain won Group B after their 2-2 draw with Morocco. Both Spain and Portugal had a goal difference of plus one, but Spain scored six goals in their three group matches while Portugal had five.

Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand fails to stop Portugal's Ricardo Quaresma's goal.

The 2010 champions will next face host Russia in Moscow on Sunday (Monday NZ time).

Quaresma had nine international goals in 78 previous appearances for Portugal. But his goal against Iran had all appeal of a Ronaldo strike. He sent the shot with the outside of his right foot right spinning into the far corner near the end of the first half.

Not bad for someone who had played little more than 20 minutes as a substitute in Portugal's first two games. Ronaldo certainly looked impressed, wrapping his right arm around Quaresma's shoulders as he roared and raised his left fist into the air.

Santos's confidence that Quaresma was ready to influence the game not only was clear in his decision to start the veteran, but in the coach's comment afterward.

"I always take the decisions that are right for my team," he said.

Ronaldo, who avoided reporters as he left the Mordovia Arena, has now missed six of his last 14 penalty kicks. But he hasn't been the only big star to miss one in this tournament. Messi also was denied in Argentina's opening draw against Iceland.

Ronaldo's penalty was awarded after the use of video review following an apparent takedown of the Portugal forward by Saeid Ezatolahi in the area. The Iranian team, already aggrieved by the replay system overturning a goal against Spain, reacted angrily. Players swarmed Paraguayan referee Enrique Caceres, who initially had waved play on after Ronaldo went down.

Beiranvand made it a moot point, but normally defensive-minded Iran still needed to score multiple goals to advance, and they were unable to do so against a squad that won the 2016 European Championship by virtue of its own strong defensive play.

Iran has now been to five World Cups - all since 1978 - but has yet to advance out of group play. Their players collapsed on the field at the final whistle while Portugal's somewhat muted celebration had more the look of relief.