One of Portugal or Spain may get knocked out

Following their 3-3 draw against Spain in their opening fixture and a 1-0 win Morocco in the second Group Stage match, Portugal will be looking to seal their Round of 16 berth with a win over Iran. The match is scheduled for 12:00 am Bangladesh time.

Iran were predicted to finish last in this group in some quarters. They could still end up winning it. The situation in Group B is so precarious that one of Spain or Portugal may even get knocked out of the tournament.

Also See: Russia World Cup Points Table

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Read More: World Cup 2018: Who can qualify for the Round of 16? 

What is the situation in Group B?

A win is needed to guarantee qualification for Iran. If they claim a victory and Spain fail to win, they would reach the last 16 as group winners. For Portugal, a draw would be enough to go through.

As the nation ranked fourth in the world, and reigning European champions, Portugal should start as clear favourites. Portugal's problems are however that Iran are a staunch defensive side who defended admirably in the match against Spain. A win for Carlos Queiroz's side will see Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. catch a flight back home.

- Portugal need a point against Iran to qualify. Can qualify with a defeat if Spain lose by a bigger margin.

- Spain need a point against Morocco to qualify. Can qualify with a defeat if Portugal lose by a bigger margin, or if Iran/Portugal is a low-scoring draw and Spain lose by no more than one goal.

- If both Portugal and Spain lose, the team with the worse result would finish third. If both Portugal and Spain win, the team with the biggest victory would finish top. Spain and Portugal currently have identical records and are separated by disciplinary records (yellow/red cards). If this finishes level too they will draw lots for group position.

- Current yellow cards: Portugal 2, Spain 1

- Iran must beat Portugal to guarantee qualification, and would go through with a draw if Spain lose to Morocco by at least two goals.

- Morocco have been eliminated.

Iran’s wild-card

Iran’s Portuguese coach Carlos Quieroz had two spells managing his country. He was Portugal’s coach in the 2010 World Cup when they made it to the last 16. Quieroz was also assistant to former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and have experience of working with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. That kind of inside knowledge might help him device the best strategy against the mercurial Ronaldo who is in insane form in this World Cup.

Head-to-head

This is Iran and Portugal's second World Cup encounter. In 2006, Cristiano Ronaldo's first World Cup goal, and one from Deco, earned Portugal a 2-0 win.

Iran

1)Iran have never won their final World Cup group stage game (one draw, three losses), scoring three and conceding 10 in those matches.

2)Team Melli are winless against European opposition at the World Cup, losing six of their seven fixtures.

3)Iran failed to register a shot on target against Spain for the first time in 14 World Cup games.

4) Their defeat to Spain was a first in 24 competitive matches overall.

5) Iran are aiming to win two group games at the World Cup for the first time.

6) During his time coaching Portugal, Iran boss Carlos Queiroz oversaw their biggest World Cup victory, a 7-0 win over North Korea in 2010.

Portugal

1)Portugal have won three of their four World Cup games against Asian opposition, losing against host nation South Korea in 2002.

2)Portugal's 1-0 win over Morocco last time out was their first World Cup clean sheet in six attempts, since a goalless draw with Brazil in 2010.

3)Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his country's last five goals at the World Cup. The last player to do so for one nation was Russia's Oleg Salenko in 1994, who scored six in a row.

4)Ronaldo has successfully converted all four of his shots on target at this World Cup.

5)Joao Moutinho could earn a 113th cap against Iran, overtaking Nani (112) to become Portugal's third-most capped player. Only Ronaldo (152) and Luis Figo (127) have more.