Spain and Portugal reach World Cup knockout round

Spain players celebrates his side’s opening goal by Spain’s Isco during the group B match between Spain and Morocco at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, Monday, June 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

MOSCOW – Spain and Portugal reached the World Cup last 16 on Monday after two dramatic final group games dominated by VAR decisions.

Spain drew 2-2 with Morocco to top Group B thanks to a late Iago Aspas equalizer that was referred to the video assistant referee and Iran held Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 1-1 draw.

Fernando Hierro’s Spain, the 2010 world champions, will play Russia in the next round in Moscow on Sunday while European champions Portugal face Uruguay in Sochi the previous day.