Historical Football Kits

 

and FIFA World Cup 2018 Group B

 

world cup 2018 posterThis group pitted the European champions, Portugal, against their arch rivals, Spain, a match that was expected to be the highlight of the group stages. The Spanish team was rocked when their coach, Julen Lopetegui, got the sack two days before the tournament started in what was widely seen as a fit of pique by the president of the Spanish Football Federation after it was announced that he (Lopetegui) would become manager of Real Madrid after the World Cup ended.

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Knock Out Stages

2014 Tournament | World Cup Index | 2022 Tournament

 

 

morocco 2018 1st kit

Morocco

iran 2018 1st kit

Iran

Morocco 0 Iran 1

Krestovsky Stadium, St PetersburgKrestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg
15 June

As the match went into injury time it seemed a draw was inevitable, a result that neither side wanted given how hard it would be to take points off Spain and Portugal. Then, in the fifth and final minute of added time, Aziz Bouhaddouz dove to intercept an incoming free-kick only to divert the ball into his own goal. This was Iran's first win in the final stages for 20 years.

(Jouko Saarinen)

 

portugal 2018 1st kit

Portugal

spain 2018 change kit

Spain

Portugal 3 Spain 3

olympic stadium, sochiFisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
15 June

Rarely do matches as eagerly anticipated as this one was live up to expectations but here, expectations were exceeded. Portugal led from the fourth minute after Ronaldo won and converted a penalty. Spain fought back, equalised, fell behind and then equalised again in the 55th minute. Three minutes after that they took the lead and were now playing with authority and confidence, retaining possession with short passing moves. Then, in the 88th minute Ronaldo took a free-kick which he curled over and round the wall, inches from a leaping defender, and into the net before the goalkeeper could react. This was his 51st hat-trick.

 

portugal 2018 world cup change kit

Portugal

morocco 2018 1st kit

Morocco

Portugal 1 Morocco 0

luzhniki stadium moscowLuzhniki Stadium, Moscow
20 June

Ronaldo continued his remarkable start to this World Cup by scoring what proved to be the winner in the fourth minute, knocking Morocco out of the tournament.

 

ir iran 2018 world cup change kit

Iran

spain 2018 change kit

Spain

Iran 0 Spain 1

kazan arenaKazan Arena, Kazan
20 June

Iran played a deep 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to frustrate their opponents and held on until the 54th minute when the ball ricocheted into the net to give Costa a very fortuitous goal. Iran thought they had equalised a little later but Ezatolahi's effort was ruled out by the assistant referee and the VAR for offside.

(Jouko Saarinen)

 

iran 2018 1st kit

Iran

portugal 2018 1st kit

Portugal

Iran 1 Portugal 1

mordovia arena, saranskMordovia Arena, Saransk
25 June

The match was dominated by controversial VAR decisions and marred by play-acting and ill-temper. Quaresma scored for Portugal just before half-time with a stunning curled drive into the far corner. Tensions rose in the second half as Iran, playing with passion, fought back. Ronaldo missed a penalty and was fortunate not to be dismissed for elbowing an opponent after a lengthy VAR review. By this stage players were crowding round the referee at every opportunity trying to influence his decisions and the match became a shambles. Iran scored from a late penalty, awarded after yet another doubtful VAR decision and might have won when Mehdi Taremi missed a sitter in injury time.

(Jouko Saarinen)

 

spain 2018 world cup

Spain

morocco 2018 world cup change kit

Morocco

Spain 2 Morocco 2

kaliningrad stadiumKaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
25 June

Although Morocco were already eliminated they were determined not leave quietly. Khalid Boutaïb opened the scoring after a terrible mix up in the Spanish defence. Isco equalised five minutes later. Both teams had good chances in the second half and when Youssef En-Nesyri headed home powerfully from a corner, it appeared his side were on course for an unlikely victory. In injury time, however, Iago Aspas flicked home from a low cross but was initially given offside. A VAR review, however, revealed that he was exactly in line with the last defender and the goal stood. The result left Spain top of the group ahead of Portugal on goals scored.

 
2014 | World Cup Index | 2022