MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018

18 FIFA World Cup 2018 Iran v Portugal Group B, June 25 PREVIEW , Saransk

FIFA World Cup 2018 Portugal look to RonaldoFIFA World Cup 2018 Iran v Portugal Group B, June 25 Iran v Portugal Mordovia Arena, Saransk 37 FIFA rank 4 Group B, June 25 Mordovia Arena, Saransk IRN 1-0 MAR Match 1 POR 3-3 ESP 4 Reuters | Saransk, 37 Iran IRN 0-1 ESP Match 2 POR 1-0 MAR Portugal 37 FIFA rank 4 37 FIFA rank 4 IRN 1-0 MAR Match 1 POR 3-3 ESP IRN 1-0 MAR Match 1 POR 3-3 ESP IRN 0-1 ESP Match 2 POR 1-0 MAR HEAD-TO-HEAD IRN 0-1 ESP Match 2 POR 1-0 MAR ristiano Ronaldo has scored Portu- HEAD-TO-HEAD Nickname | The Three Lions Nickname | TheHEAD-TO-HEAD Red Tide Iran 0 Portugal 2 gal’s all-four goals in the World Cup Iran 0 Portugal 2 Iran 0 Portugal 2 so far and the European Champions Possible line-ups: Beiranvand, Possible line-ups: Recent meetings Draws 0 Recent C meetings Draws 0 will be heavily dependent on the talismanic Rezaeian,2006 Pouraliganji,Portugal 2-0 Iran Hosseini, Patricio, Soares, Pepe, 2006 Portugal 2-0 Iran 1972 Portugal 3-0 Iran 1972 Portugal 3-0 Iran forward to see them through against a stoic Hajsafi, Ezatolahi,WORLD CUP RECORD Ebrahimi, Amiri, Fonte, Guerreiro, WORLD CUP RECORD 2 Wins 14 2 Wins 14 Ansarifard,3 Taremi,Draws Azmoun5 Moutinho, Carvalho, B. Iran side in their final Group B match today. 3 Draws 5 9 Losses 9 9 Losses 9 0.57 Goals for* 1.68 Silva, Mario,0.57 Ronaldo,Goals for* A.1.68 1.64 Goals against* 1.14 Ronaldo’s hat-trick in the 3-3 draw against 1.64 Goals against* 1.14 *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS Recent Spain gave Portugal a vital point while an Iran were desperately unlucky not Silva *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS to get a point from their match meetings Draws 0 early headed strike, which made him Eu- 2006 Portugal 2-0 Iran Raphael Guerreiro really struggled against rope’s all-time top international goal scorer, against Spain and are not expected 1972 Portugal 3-0 Iran Morocco last time out but is expected to retain against Morocco proved enough to bring to make wholesale changes here. Fact box Alireza Jahanbakhsh was only fit his place at left-back today. home three points. WORLD CUP RECORD Bruno Fernandes and Joao Mario compete for a enough for a place on the bench » Iran have three points after Portugal and Spain, who take on already last time out, but should start here 2 Wins 14 spot on the left wing for Portugal against Iran. ousted Morocco, are on four points and need two matches and need a Cristiano Ronaldo has scored all four of if he can overcome injury in time. 3 shock winDraws over Portugal to 5 a draw from their respective matches. But overcame injury 9 Losses 9 Portugal’s goals at the 2018 World Cup and Iran are a point behind with three and must finish in the top two. to start against Spain and he will 0.57 Goals for* 1.68 Fernando Santos needs other players to start beat Portugal to progress. » Portugal have four points af- contributing. retain his place in the team in Iran’s 1.64 1.14 The European sides will not only aim for ter twoGoals matches against* and need to last grouo game. *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS victory but will also try to outscore each Roozbeh Cheshmi is expected to better Spain’s result to secure other with the top spot in the group set to miss out, however. top spot in Group B. be decided on goal difference. » Even though Iran beat Moroc- The 33-year-old Real Madrid forward’s co, Portugal have the easier individual brilliance has glossed over Por- final group game and should Our expectation is to tugal’s dour performances in their first two be confident of finishing top. continue our work and try matches and Fernando Santos’s side have to improve in the group mostly appeared like a one-man team. phase. We’re almost In 26 matches competitive matches since there (knockout stages) Santos took over in September 2014, Por- and then we’ll see tugal have won 20 and lost twice, with one of those being a penalty shootout defeat by CRISTIANO RONALDO Chile in the 2017 Confederations Cup. Of those 20 wins, 10 have been by a single goal and most of the others were against weaker opponents.

FIFA World Cup 2018 Saudi Arabia v Egypt Spain count on Costa goals Group A, June 25 Reuters | Kalinin- grad, Russia liningrad would guarantee the 2010 four goals in Russia, emerging as a Saudi, Egypt fight to winners safe passage into the last 16 surprise talisman after the sacking of FIFA World Cup 2018 FIFA World Cup 2018 pain will be but to be assured of winning the group coach Julen Lopetegui threatened to avoidSaudi Arabia v Egypt last place Saudi Arabia v Egypt Group A, June 25 Group A, June 25 Slooking for they need to win a scoring contest with throw their campaign into chaos. Volgograd Arena Volgograd Arena their unlikely new Portugal, who play Iran at the same Brazilian-born Costa had flopped at 67 Saudi Arabia Egypt 45

FIFA World Cup 2018 67 FIFA rank 45 67 FIFA rank 45 World Cup figure- time. the 2014 World Cup after switching KSA 0-5 RUS Match 1 EGY 0-1 URU KSA 0-5 RUS Match 1 EGY 0-1 URU NicknameKSA 0-1 URU Match | The2 EGY 1-3 RUS67Falcons FIFA rank Nickname45 | TheKSA 0-1 URU PharaohsMatch 2 EGY 1-3 RUS HEAD-TO-HEAD HEAD-TO-HEAD head Diego Costa If the two European sides win by the loyalties to Spain, failing to have a S. Arabia 1 Egypt 4 S. Arabia 1 Egypt 4 Spain v Morocco KSA 0-5 RUS Match 1 EGY 0-1 URU to strike again same scoreline, top spotGroup will B,be June deter 25- single shot in two games as the holders Recent Recent KSA 0-1 URU Match 2 EGY 1-3 RUSmeetings Draws 1 meetings Draws 1 against already mined by who has the cleaner disci- were dumped out. 2007 Egypt 2-1 S. Arabia Stadium 2007 Egypt 2-1 S. Arabia 2005 S. Arabia 0-1 Egypt 2005 S. Arabia 0-1 Egypt WORLD CUP RECORD eliminated Moroc- plinary record, with Spain currently He was left out of the Euro 2016 WORLD CUP RECORD 2 Wins 0 2 Wins 0 HEAD-TO-HEAD 2 Draws 2 2 Draws 2 11 Losses 4 co today as they bid on one yellow card to Portugal’s two. squad and his return had been a con- 11 Losses 4 0.60 Goals for* 0.67 0.60 Goals for* 0.67 2.53 Goals against* 1.67 2.53 Goals against* 1.67S. Arabia 1 Egypt 4 *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS to outscore Portugal Iran, however, would reach the last stant subject of debate in Spain, with *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS and grab top spot in 16 if they sprang a surprise by beating leading newspaper El Pais questioning Group B. the European champions. his suitability in a team which priori-

FIFA World Cup 2018 A draw in Ka - Costa has scored three of Spain’s tises possession. FIFA World Cup 2018 Spain v Morocco Group B, June 25 Spain v Morocco Kaliningrad Stadium 10 FIFA rank 41 Group B, June 25 Kaliningrad Stadium Recent 10 ESP 3-3 POR Match 1 MAR 0-1 IRN 41 Mohammad al-Sahlawi meetings Draws 1 Mohamed Salah Spain ESP 1-0 IRN Match 2 MAR 0-1 POR Morocco 10 FIFA rank 41 Saudi Arabia improved2007 on theirEgypt opening 2-1TarekS. ArabiaHamed overcame injury to start 10 FIFA rank 41 ESP 3-3 POR Match 1 MAR 0-1 IRN ESP 3-3 POR Match 1 MAR 0-1 IRN ESP 1-0 IRN Match 2 MAR 0-1 POR day 5-0 crushing at the hands of hosts Egypt’s last match, while Mohamed ESP 1-0 IRN Match 2 MAR 0-1 POR 2005 S. Arabia 0-1 Egypt HEAD-TO-HEAD HEAD-TO-HEAD Nickname | La Roja (The Red) Nickname | LionsHEAD-TO-HEAD of the Atlas Russia with a 1-0 loss to Uruguay.They are Salah was also fit enough to start. Spain 2 Morocco 0 Spain 2 Morocco 0 Spain 2 Morocco 0 already out of the tournamentWORLD but will CUP EgyptRECORD have already been eliminated Possible line-ups: De Gea, Carvajal, Possible line-ups: Mohamedi, Dirar, likely persist with the 4-2-3-1 formation from the 2018 World Cup and have Recent 2 0 meetings Draws 0 Recent Wins meetings Draws 0 they used last time out. nothing left to play for but pride. Pique, Ramos,1961 Spain 3-2Alba,Morocco Koke, Busquets, Benatia, da Costa, Hakimi, El Ahmadi, 1961 Spain 3-2 Morocco 1961 Morocco 0-1 Spain 2 Draws 2 Iniesta, Silva, , Costa Boussoufa, Amrabat,1961 Morocco 0-1 Belhanda,Spain WORLD CUP RECORD WORLD CUP RECORD 30 Wins 2 30 Wins 2 Possible line-ups: 11Al-Owais, Al LossesPossible line-ups:4 El Shenawy, 13 Draws 4 Ziyech, El Kaabi 13 Draws 4 18 Losses 9 18 Losses 9 Burayk, Hawsawi, Abdulayhi, Al 1.57 Goals for* 0.80 Ibrahim, Gabr, Hegazi, Abdul 1.57 Goals for* 0.80 0.60 Goals for* 0.67 1.13 Goals against* 1.33 1.13 Goals against* 1.33 *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS Recent Shahrani, Al Jassim, Otayf,FIFA Babhir, World Cup 2018 Morocco have*Per match played © someGRAPHIC NEWS great 2.53 Goals against*Shafy, Elneny,1.67 Hamed, Salah, meetings Draws 0 Al Faraj, Al Dawsari, Al Sahlawi football at the 2018 World Cup but *Per match Bekhit,© GRAPHIC Hassan, NEWS Kahraba 1961 Spain 3-2 Morocco have 0 points to show for it and Uruguay v Russia Fact1961 Morocco box 0-1 Spain have already been knocked out. Group A, June 25 and Samara Arena WORLD CUP RECORD » Spain have four points from both overcame injuries to feature Russia ride wave of 30 their openingWins two matches 2 against Portugal last time out. 13 Draws 4 will hope to start Mo- FIFA World Cup 2018 FIFA World Cup 2018 euphoriaUruguay v Russia into game Uruguay v Russia and need to better Portugal’s Group A, June 25 Group A, June 25 18 Losses 9 rocco’s last match after dropping Samara Arena Samara Arena Diego Costa result today to secure top to the bench in the 1-0 defeat 1.57 spot. Goals for* 0.80 14 Uruguay Russia 70 against the Euro 2016 winners. 14 FIFA rank 70 14 FIFA rank 70 1.13 Goals against* 1.33 URU 1-0 EGY Match 1 RUS 5-0 KSA URU 1-0 EGY Match 1 RUS 5-0 KSA » Morocco have played great Khalid Boutaïb and NicknameURU 1-0 KSA Match | The2 RUS 3-1 EGY14Sky Blue FIFA rank Nickname70 | SbornayaURU 1-0 KSA Match 2 RUS 3-1 EGY *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS HEAD-TO-HEAD HEAD-TO-HEAD Uruguay 1 Russia 5 Fernando Hierro football over their two compete for a starting spot up Uruguay 1 RussiaURU 5 1-0 EGY Match 1 RUS 5-0 KSA matches and deserve more front for the African side. surprisingly picked Recent Recent URU 1-0 KSA Match 2 RUS 3-1 EGYmeetings Draws 2 meetings Draws 2 than their current total of 0 2012 Russia 1-1 Uruguay 2012 Russia 1-1 Uruguay Lucas Vazquez for 1972 USSR 1-0 Uruguay 1972 USSR 1-0 Uruguay WORLD CUP RECORD WORLD CUP RECORD 22 Wins 19 points. 22 Wins 19 HEAD-TO-HEAD Spain’s mediocre 1-0 12 Draws 8 12 Draws 8 19 Losses 15 19 Losses 15 1.55 Goals for* 1.76 » Spain haven’t looked 1.55 Goals for* 1.76 win over Iran last time 1.34 Goals against* 1.14 1.34 Goals against* 1.14Uruguay 1 Russia 5 *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS out but the Real Madrid convincing over their two *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS forward didn’t grasp his matches but are favourites opportunity. to beat Morocco. Portugal We have to be Daniel Carvajal proved face Iran in the group’s other faithful to the end his fitness in time game and will be expected to to the style of play Recent against Iran and will outscore Spain today. Luis Suarez Denis Cheryshev keep his spot at right- that defines us. We meetings Draws 2 Uruguay have won both2012 of theirRussia opening 1-1AlanUruguay Dzagoev suffered a hamstring inju- back today. have to play, pass matches but have been dire in both. ry in Russia’s opener and is not expected Hierro may revert back a lot, keep the ball. Oscar Tabarez needs1972 to changeUSSR but it 1-0to Uruguayrecover in time to feature in their last to a 4-3-3 formation If we play quickly remains to seen whether he isWORLD willing to. CUP groupRECORD game. against Morocco, with Possible line-ups: Muslera, Varela, Possible line-ups: El Shenawy, Thiago making his across the pitch the 22 Wins 19 chances will come Gimenez, Godin, Caceres, Vecino, Ibrahim, Gabr, Hegazi, Abdul first start of the 2018 Bentancur, Nandez,12 Arrascaeta, DrawsShafy, Elneny, Hamed,8 Salah, World Cup. SPAIN MIDFIELDER ISCO Suarez, Cavani 19 LossesBekhit, Hassan,15 Kahraba 1.55 Goals for* 1.76 1.34 Goals against* 1.14 *Per match © GRAPHIC NEWS