Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and 2010 winners Spain progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on a Monday night of high drama dominated by VAR decisions, as Uruguay pipped Russia to top spot in their group.

Spain ended up topping Group B by virtue of goals scored after an injury-time strike by Iago Aspas — confirmed by the video assistant referee — rescued a 2-2 draw against Morocco in Kaliningrad and will take on the host nation in Moscow on Sunday.

Portugal, who finished level with Spain on five points, conceded a late penalty as Iran drew level at 1-1 and faced a heart-stopping moment as Mehdi Taremi put a shot inches wide — a goal that would have sent the European champions crashing out.

Cristiano Ronaldo calls for a penalty during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match

Ronaldo was at the heart of a series of VAR incidents in Saransk. First he had a penalty saved by Ali Beiranvand and was later saved by a review as Iran’s players called for him to be sent off following an incident with Morteza Pouraliganji.

Furious Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Portugal captain Ronaldo, who was booked, should have been sent off for using an elbow and lashed out against VAR, saying it was “not going well”.

“I don’t want to talk too much, it’s about my country and a player. I know it’ll be a war against me,” said Queiroz, who coached his native Portugal at the 2010 finals in South Africa.”

“But the reality is you stopped the game for VAR, there is an elbow,” he added. “An elbow is a red card in the rules. In the rules it doesn’t say if it is (Lionel) Messi or Ronaldo.”

Iran’s Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz reacts from the sidelines.

Portugal will face Uruguay in the last 16 in Sochi on Saturday.

Relieved Spain boss Fernando Hierro, who took over as coach on the eve of the World Cup, said he knew the group was going to be tough, acknowledging his side had to tighten up.

“The first conclusion I draw is that despite all these challenges we ended on top. I’m looking at the silver lining,” he said.

“Obviously we can improve. Five goals in three matches is not the way forward. The players are professional, they understand what the situation.”

– VAR penalties –

Uruguay’s forward Luis Suarez reacts during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match.

There have now been 19 penalties taken at the 2018 World Cup — more than in any other edition of the competition.

Earlier, 10-man Russia were handed a World Cup reality check, losing 3-0 to Uruguay as the South Americans topped Group A with a perfect record.

The host nation rode a wave of national euphoria in their first two matches, sweeping aside Saudi Arabia and Egypt despite being initially written off as no-hopers but could not keep the magic alive against the South Americans.

An early free-kick from Barcelona’s Luis Suarez, an own goal from Denis Cheryshev and a late strike from Edinson Cavani sealed top spot for Uruguay, with Russia through to the knockout stages as runners-up.

“Obviously, the first few matches you’re tense and don’t want to make any mistakes or lose,” said man-of the-match Suarez.

“One mistake can be very expensive. Today we came to the pitch with a different attitude and perspective and that’s made the pressure better. That’s what we saw on the pitch.”

Disappointed Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov said it was better to lose heavily now than in future games, adding his players had shown nerves for the first time but were psychologically prepared for the knockout stages.

“The outcome is very simple. We did what we had to do,” he said. “But you cannot start a game of this level with such a mistake — we gave up a goal.

“Uruguay then started playing their type of football. And then we got a red card.”

In the other match in Group A, Saudi Arabia beat Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 2-1 in a matchup of two eliminated sides in Volgograd but the main talking point was Egypt goalkeeper Essam el-Hadary becoming the oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup.

El Hadary, 45 years and 161 days old, smashed the record set by Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who was aged 43 years and three days when he played against Japan in Brazil in 2014.

The veteran goalkeeper produced a stunning save from a Fahad al-Muwallad penalty after Salah had given Egypt the lead with his second World Cup goal, but could not keep out another spot kick by Salman al-Faraj in first-half injury time.

Sanchez was suspended for the game at Kazan Arena as Colombia got back in contention for a place in the last 16 and Poland were eliminated, and has had “a very hard time” dealing with the fallout from his third-minute sending-off in the 2-1 defeat to Japan, Pekerman said.

The Espanyol midfielder will be eligible to return to Pekerman’s side for the make-or-break last Group H clash with Senegal on Thursday.

Pekerman said he spoke for the whole squad when he dedicated Colombia’s victory to the 32-year-old player.

“This victory is dedicated to Carlos Sanchez, because he’s had a very hard time in the past days. I want, and we want, to share it with him,” he said.

“I’m saying this personally, but this is something that is felt throughout the squad.”

Although Pekerman refused to confirm the reports, he came close.

It evoked memories of the chilling murder of former Colombia player Andres Escobar, who was killed after his own goal led to defeat to the United States in the 1994 World Cup and Colombia’s elimination from the tournament.

Pekerman added: “We received certain information, but I can’t confirm anything. The player was deeply affected by this matter.

“It went beyond football. It’s a game that we play with a lot of hard work and dedication, but these things should not be taken lightly.

“Whether it’s confirmed or not… this is extremely painful.”

– Rodriguez provides –

In a match Colombia had to win to survive the group stages, the South Americans’ patience paid off with Yerry Mina breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute with a powerful header from a superbly-curled James Rodriguez cross that gave the big Barcelona defender his maiden World Cup goal.

Colombia’s march to the quarter-finals in Brazil four years ago came thanks to Rodriguez’s six-goal tally for ‘Los Cafeteros’.

And days after a calf injury restricted him to a half-hour cameo role against Japan, the Bayern Munich midfielder was back to his best in an ultra-offensive line-up that gave Radamel Falcao his long-awaited maiden World Cup goal and Juan Cuadrado Colombia’s third of the evening.

Cuadrado teased and frustrated the Polish defence in a positive start to the second half, and after Colombia ‘keeper David Ospina bravely denied Robert Lewandowski when he latched on to a dangerous long ball, Colombia turned up the heat.

When right-back Sanitago Arias found Juan Quintero, the midfielder sliced Poland’s defence apart with a low pass that found Falcao on the run before he coolly beat Wojciech Szczesny down low with the outside of his right boot.

Five minutes later, Rodriguez produced arguably the assist of the night, drawing several Polish players on the left flank before somehow finding Cuadrado on the run with a superb cross-field pass that the pacey winger tucked away.

The disappointing Poland became the first European side eliminated from the tournament and the normally prolific Lewandowski failed to fire again, but coach Adam Nawalka was stoic in defeat.

“I’m very sorry and very sad about the result, but tomorrow’s another day and we have to come to terms with things,” he said.

“Our players did their best until the end of the game. We lost to a very strong team and this is something we have to accept.

“I extend my congratulations to Colombia.”

Liverpool star Sadio Mane got the West Africans on the board early, largely thanks to some haphazard defending by Genki Haraguchi and some suspect goalkeeping by Eiji Kawashima, and Moussa Wague gave them the lead again in the second half.

Inui, who was everywhere for Japan, scored Japan’s first after some fine work by Yuto Nagatomo and veteran Honda proved a super sub when he equalized just six minutes after stepping onto the pitch.

“We fought to the death,” said Japan coach Akira Nishino. “Naturally we wanted to win but the way the team came from behind twice shows how much we have improved in attack. But we still want to see it out and win our last game.”

A draw against Poland on Thursday would in fact be enough to secure Japan a place in the round of 16. The Poles, who were group favorites, can no longer progress after losing 3-0 to Colombia later on Sunday, with the South Americans set to take on Senegal on Thursday.

Japan and Senegal are joint top of Group H on four points, with Colombia one point behind.

Senegal boss Aliou Cisse put three up front for the match at Ekaterinburg Arena, his team’s first against Asian opponents at a World Cup. It showed his attacking intent and his team repaid him with a goal after 11 minutes, although Haraguchi and Kawashima were at fault.

The ball was crossed to the back post and when Haraguchi’s attempted clearing header dropped into the path of Youssouf Sabaly he was quick to shoot. Kawashima punched a shot he should have caught and the ball ricocheted off Mane’s knee and in, giving Senegal a deserved lead.

After dragging themselves back into the game, it was a piece of sublime skill on the left that brought Japan even before halftime.

Nagatomo collected a long pass with wonderful mid-air dexterity, his first touch helping him elude two closing defenders before Inui arrived. Inui took a touch and bent his shot around the diving Senegalese keeper Khadim Ndiaye.

“I have been scoring in recent matches and that one was typical of my style,” said Inui. “I was really disappointed because I could not really perform in the first match (against Colombia). I wanted to repay the coach for keeping faith in me and be of use to the team.

Senegal started the second half well but it was Japan who should have gone in front at the 60-minute mark when Yuya Osako failed to make contact with a cross inside the six-yard box.

Osako did better four minutes later when he laid on a sweet backheel that Inui struck off the crossbar.

Wague, who was at the center of Senegal’s most enterprising play, then put them back in front.

Sabaly turned in the box and hit a low cross that was helped into the path of Wague by Mbaye Niang and the Belgium-based defender slammed past a helpless Kawashima.

After the goal, Nishino immediately pointed to Honda and six minutes later the recently installed manger was clenching his fist.

Honda was in just the right place to meet a ball ripped back from the byline by Inui, the blond-haired Pachuca man pumping it into the back of the net from just outside the six-yard box with the Senegalese defense in a shambles.

Honda has now been directly involved in seven of Japan’s last 10 World Cup goals, scoring four and assisting three, this being his first goal in 16 international games.

“Inui’s ball fell in a great position for me,” said Honda. “I knew if I missed it would be a horrible scenario so I am happy I scored. I wanted us to seal qualification (but) this shows how tough the World Cup is.”

Colombia got their campaign back on track with a convincing win over Poland in Kazan, their goals coming from Yerry Mina, Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado.

In the day’s first game, in Group G, Tottenham striker Harry Kane scored a hat-trick as England stormed into the last 16 with a 6-1 rout of Panama, a result which eliminated the Central Americans on their World Cup debut.

The 19-year-old became the 14th Japanese player to win an LPGA title by finishing 54 holes at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas, on 21-under par 192, the lowest score in tournament history.

“I was focusing on my game for the entire 18 today. I’m so happy to win,” Hataoka said through a translator. “Winning this tournament was huge for me.”

Hataoka, in her second LPGA campaign, had shared second last month at Kingsmill in her best prior showing but suffered only one bogey in three days.

American Austin Ernst was second on 198 with a third-place pack on 200 including Australian Minjee Lee, German Sandra Gal and Americans Ryann O’Toole, Ally McDonald, Brittany Altomare and Lexi Thompson, who could have become world number one with a victory.

“I played with Lexi and all the big names and playing with them was big for me,” said Hataoka, who was alongside Thompson in the last group.

Lee and Hataoka had shared the 36-hole lead at 129, but the Japanese star surged quickly with birdies at the par-3 third, par-5 fifth, par-5 seventh and par-4 ninth pulling her ahead for good at the turn.

Hataoka added birdies at the par-4 12th, the par-3 15th and 17th and at 18 she dropped her approach inches from the cup and tapped in for a final birdie to finish off the record romp.

The event was the final tuneup for next week’s third women’s major event of the year, the Women’s PGA Championship.

Federer also lost the number one spot in ATP rankings to Rafael Nadal, and missed a chance to earn a record 10th title at the German venue.

Federer dropped the opening set in a tiebreak but levelled by winning the second. Coric held his nerve to take victory.

The Croatian outsider ranked 34th also ended Federer’s 20-match win streak on clay for Federer which stretched to June, 2017.

The Swiss will drop to second in the world behind Rafael Nadal, who is  playing no tune-up events prior to the start of Wimbledon a week from Monday.

The loss in just over two hours means came a week after Federer won his 98th title in Stuttgart.

Coric, who accounted for German second seed Alexander Zverev in the first round, held his nerve against the crowd favourite at this venue which styles itself after the All England club.

The 21-year-old had lost twice to Federer, but played him tough in their last meeting at Indian Wells last March.

He was the first Croatian to reach the final at Halle and now owns two titles after winning in Marrakech in 2017.

Federer dropped the opening set, won the second but was unable to fight back after going down 2-4 in the third.

Coric moved out to 5-2 and completed his upset on a second match point a game later as Federer’s volley hit the top of the net.

The Swiss fired a dozen aces but lost serve twice.

Federer’s excellent serving in the first set – four love games, three points lost on serve – could not prevent Coric taking the opener in 57 minutes.

The Croatian withstood a Federer assault in the 11th game, which lasted for nearly 10 minutes and featured five deuces. A game later, the Swiss seed took the set into a tiebreaker.

Federer reached a 5-3 margin and sent down his fifth ace to earn a pair of set points.

But Coric annulled the first with a service winner while a wild Federer  backhand accounted for the other. Second later, the Croatian seized the set on his first opportunity from a Federer backhand long.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion fought back to level by winning the second set, helped by a choke on a volley from Coric.

Trailing 4-3 and facing a break point in the eight game, the youngster raced to the net to flick over a winner on Federer’s first set point, but stuffed the shot into the net.

Leading 5-3, Federer squared the match in the next game as Coric hit the net again.

Federer will travel to Wimbledon to put final touches on his grass game as he aims for a ninth title at the grass-court major.

Kane’s treble and two goals from John Stones, with Jesse Lingard also on the scoresheet, meant England joined Belgium on six points at the top of Group G ahead of the match between the two teams on Thursday.

“Fantastic,” Kane beamed in an interview with the BBC after leaping to the top of the World Cup Golden Boot scoring chart with five goals in two games.

“So proud of the boys. Just enjoying it being here. We knew it was going to be tough but it’s all coming together.

“It’s a brilliant result, fantastic to be through and to do it in this way is great.”

The Tottenham Hotspur striker said England fans were justified in dreaming of winning the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

“We’re not getting too ahead of ourselves. We’ve got to keep it going but, yes, you have to believe. If you want to achieve anything in life you have to believe.

“We’ve got to stick together, stick to our game plan.”

A hat-trick from captain Harry Kane — which means he is now the leading scorer in the tournament with five goals — two from John Stones, his first ever in an England shirt, and a beauty from Jesse Lingard completed the crushing victory.

The result also confirmed Belgium’s qualification for the knockout stage and means Panama exit the tournament alongside Tunisia.

The records tumbled for England on an easy afternoon by the River Volga.

– Records tumble –

The rout was the first time England have scored more than four goals at a World Cup finals since winning the tournament in 1966.

It was the first time in England’s history they have managed five goals in a first half and Kane became the first England player to score a World Cup hat-trick since Gary Lineker in 1986.

It is also the first time they have qualified for the knockout stage since 2010, and the biggest victory so far at this tournament.

Intriguingly, it also means they are level on points, goal difference and goals scored with Belgium in Group G. The two sides meet in Kaliningrad on Thursday.

Despite the result, England started slowly and it was Panama who should have scored first in the fifth minute when Anibal Godoy blasted high and wide after the Central Americans carved open England’s defence.

England took the lead in the eighth minute when John Stones powered home a header from a Kieran Trippier corner, held up by the referee because of wrestling and pushing by the Panamanians, something which was set to become a theme of the match.

England extended their lead from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after Lingard was brought down in the box by two defenders.

That opened the floodgates.

Lingard scored the game’s best goal in the 36th minute, a 20-yard curling shot past a helpless Jaime Penedo, then Stones added his second four minutes later, another header, following an intricate England free-kick.

Following Panama complaints, the goal was referred to VAR for offside but allowed to stand.

Kane then scored his second penalty in first-half injury time after he was almost farcically wrestled over at a corner, despite further Panama complaints.

At that stage, Panama, who received five bookings in their first match and three more here, threatened to implode, so bad was their lack of discipline.

Kane’s hat-trick was completed in bizarre fashion in the 62nd minute after a Ruben Loftus-Cheek deflected off the English captain’s heel into the net.

Again, the referee checked with VAR for offside, but once more the goal stood.

The second-half was largely an anti-climax, with Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling going close to making it seven.

However, the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the 78th minute when Felipe Baloy scored Panama’s first ever finals goal.

Showing no sign of jitters despite holding the lead going into the final round of a Ladies European Tour event for the first time, the 20-year-old had the 17-year-old South Korean breathing down her neck all afternoon.

The Thai however remained solid and her accurate putting lifted her to a 15 under-par-273 finish.

“I just tried to keep up my routine by hitting the fairways and the greens and then I made putts,” said Kanyalak, who has long been familiar with this, her home course.

“I’m so happy and feel excited at the same time. I have been taught not to look at the score of others, to keep out the pressure,” added Kanyalak who said her state of mind had been the key.

“I really gave it a hard fight out there as I have either finished second or lower in several tournaments. I really wanted to win not only for myself but for my family,” she said.

Her win maintained Thai players’ fine record in the event following teen prodigy Atthaya Thitikul’s triumph in the inaugural Ladies European last year.

“This win really means to me in terms of my confidence. I will enter my next tournaments believing in myself more,” said Kanyalak, who won Bt1,727,225 prize-money.  This is by far her biggest title after previous successes in a small local tour event and in China last year.

Hyun, who entered the event through a sponsor’s invitation, shot her second straight course record 65.

As Hyun’s amateur status made her ineligible for prize-money, the Bt1,036,335 for runner-up went to Chonlada Chayanun, who carded a 68 for a total of 10 under-par-278.

Narongdech, 24, crossed the finish line first in 36.39 minutes while Wanna, 38, clocked 45.34 in the 10km, which attracted over 8,000 competitors.

The first 100 finishers in each race received a special t-shirt to mark their achievement, while all participants were granted International Olympic Committee souvenir medals and certificates.

Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon (2012 Games weightlifting gold medalist)

Also participating in the event were Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat, representatives from foreign embassies in Bangkok and former Olympic stars, such as Pawina Thongsuk (2004 Games weightlifting gold medalist), Somjit Jongjohor (2008 Games boxing gold medalist) and Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon (2012 Games weightlifting gold medalist), as were several celebrities, including Kannarun Wongkajornklai (Lady Chanwat from the mega hit TV period drama “Love Destiny”).

Kannarun Wongkajornklai (Lady Chanwat from Love Destiny) 

Olympic Committee of Thailand president Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said: “It’s become clear that more people are showing interest in running and exercising. This shows that people are more concerned with health care for a better quality of life.”

Somjit Jongjohor (2008 Games boxing gold medalist)

Written off as no-hopers before the World Cup, Russia head to the Volga River city of Samara for a game which will see the winner secure top spot in Group A following the elimination of Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

A draw would also be good enough to give Russia first place, thanks to the eight goals from two matches that have made believers out of fans used to decades of World Cup futility.

Both teams then face the likely prospect of going up against either Spain or Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the last 16 — although underdogs Iran are still in the running in a tight Group B.

Uruguay however are likely to provide the type of stern test Russia will need to overcome if they are launch an extended run in the knockout rounds.

Yet the hosts are brimming with confidence having made it past the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since the Soviet Union lost to Belgium in the last 16 in 1986.

– ‘Mission not accomplished’ –

Russia had won just two of nine World Cup matches before kicking off the most watched event on the planet with a 5-0 rout of the Saudis.

Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko — the former sports minister who still oversees football in an unofficial capacity — said the squad had no right to relax.

“Our mission has still not been accomplished,” Mutko said after watching a team training session on the outskirts of a muggy Moscow.

“We would like to get into the knockout stage from first place.”

Russia followed their Saudi thrashing by limiting Egypt’s star striker Mohamed Salah — nursing a shoulder injury but always dangerous — to one goal in an impressive 3-1 win last Tuesday in Saint Petersburg.

Salah was contained by a Russian defence that had lost three starters and was forced to call back 38-year-old Sergei Ignashevich from international retirement.

Ignashevich turns 39 on the eve of the final on July 15 that Russia retain improbable dreams of playing in. Few believe they will.

A poll conducted in the wake of their win over Egypt showed just 14 percent think Russia can lift the trophy.

It was 11 percent when coach Stanislav Cherchesov’s charges were plodding their wave through a seven-match winless streak that saw their ranking slip to a tournament-worst 70th.

But Cherchesov always thought Russia were underrated and a triumph over Uruguay’s Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani would do more to prove the mustachioed manager right.

It would also see Russia looking more confidently at the permutations of whom they might encounter in the quarter-finals.

The possibilities there range from France and Argentina to an impressive looking Croatia.

Midfielder Denis Cheryshev has been one of the World Cup’s big discoveries and a natural leader on a team without stars.

“We have to be very happy with our wins,” said the 27-year-old. “But but this is just the start.”