Reaction to VAR decisions as Spain, Portugal advance

Cape Town - All the reaction to a remarkable night of football as VAR controversy labelled as "farcical and shambolic" took centre stage as Spain and Portugal advanced to the last 16.

Spain scored a dramatic 92nd minute equaliser to secure a draw with Morocco and top Group B at the 2018 Soccer World Cup in Russia.

Portugal were held by a resolute Iran side in a 1-1 stalemate and finished second in Group B behind Spain who were held by Morocco in a 2-2 draw.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) came in for strong criticism after a number of controversial decisions in both matches that saw a rather fortunate Spain top Group B.

Iran were awarded a penalty in stoppage-time after Portugal's Cedric Soares was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area. Spain also scored in the 90th minute despite a corner being taken from the wrong side of the goal-posts.

Here is all the reaction the last night's Group B action:

Agree or Naw? #VAR #BadLipReading pic.twitter.com/FKN3R53o4Y

— Stu Holden (@stuholden) June 25, 2018

Well that’s the closest I’ve been to swearing on live TV! What I really wanted to say is that VAR is complete and utter bollocks!!???? #IranPortugal #VAR #RussiaWorldCup2018

— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) June 25, 2018

Iran get a ludicrous VAR penalty as Spain get given a VAR goal. Mad.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 25, 2018

#MOR coach Herve Renard pointed out #ESP took the corner that eventually led to Aspas’s goal from the wrong side. How far does #VAR go back. Should the assistant have spotted that, too?

— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) June 25, 2018

As if this two-footed challenge from Gerard Piqué didn't even go to VAR. Absolute madness. #WorldCup #ESP #MAR #ESPMAR pic.twitter.com/N4hGFwWG0a

— ???? Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) June 25, 2018

Thats how they cheated. no VAR pic.twitter.com/IIsh18SCia

— Younes Hamdane (@Younestheone) June 25, 2018

Herve Renard : " The ball went out from left side, the corner was played in the right side. Referees say nothing. Is that fair? ". #spamar pic.twitter.com/rPbYHCFELV

— Abdellah Aârab (@AbdellahAarab_) June 25, 2018

Hey @FIFAcom, I’d like to volunteer to do a repeatability study on VAR. We can use all the cases from this @FIFAWorldCup and get dozens of referees to evaluate each clip, figure out when it is most and least reliable. Thought maybe it would’ve been done by now, maybe I missed it?

— Ross Tucker (@Scienceofsport) June 23, 2018