Spain, Portugal advance after dramatic draw

Spain and Portugal have advanced to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Spain was down 2-1 until substitute Iago Aspas struck in stoppage-time to earn the team a dramatic 2-2 draw with Morocco.

Aspas's goal had to be confirmed with the aid of Video Assistant Referee before it was initially disallowed for offside.

Spain's Iago Aspas scores his side's second goal past Morocco goalkeeper Monir El Kajoui, during the group B match between Spain and Morocco at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, Monday, June 25, 2018. [Photo: AP]

Spain manager Fernando Hierro warned that the team must improve on the defensive side.

"Obviously we can improve, there are things that definitely need to be worked on and we will definitely be self-critical. Conceding five goals in three matches - that's not the way forward, and it's what I've told my players and I keep telling them exactly that. However, they are mature professionals and they understand what the situation is," Hierro said. 

Spain won the group on goals scored as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by Iran. 

Portugal's Ricardo Quaresma, second left, celebrates scoring his team's opening goal along with teammate Portugal's Andre Silva during the group B match between Iran and Portugal at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia, Monday, June 25, 2018. [Photo: AP]

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty for Portugal and was shown a yellow card after a lengthy VAR review.

Iran scored a late penalty, given after another video review, to tie the game.

The Asian team almost snatched a winner in stoppage time which would have seen them not only go through at Portugal's expense but also top the group.

"We brought prestige to the World Cup. It was a very competitive World Cup game. Minute by minute, of course playing against one of the best teams in the world. I think Iran, without any doubt in my opinion, with the discipline, with the attitude, with the way we controlled the game, if there was some justice in football that doesn't exist, only one win could come out in this game and that winner should be Iran," says coach Carlos Queiroz. 

In Group A, Russia's impressive start to the World Cup ended as they were easily defeated by Uruguay 3-0.

With the win, Uruguay topped the group and will play Portugal in the last 16.

Russia have to deal with 2010 Champions Spain in the first round of knockout stage.

In the other game, two eliminated teams met as Saudi Arabia managed their first win at a World Cup finals since 1994 by beating Egypt 2-1.

Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup at 45-years-old.