THEY FINISHED 24TH: IRAN

This will have to be seen as a successful competition for the Iranians. Defensively stout, they can consider themselves unlucky not to make the knockout rounds. 4 points is a successful return, and has been enough for some teams to qualify. But not in a group featuring the current Euro champions and many people’s favourites to win this thing. 

World Cup 2018 GROUP B FINAL GAMES: Iran 1-1 Portugal: Spain 2-2 Morocco

Both dramatic games with late equalisers, but in the end the favourites came out on top thanks to VAR. But both Morocco and Iran should be applauded for the way they played, and perhaps if they weren’t drawn in a group with two of Europe’s most in-form powerhouses, things might have been different.

World Cup 2018: Iran 0-1 Spain

Spain all the way. Spain to win the day.

Spain to overcome, over-run, outclass, out play. 

Well, no way. Actually. 

Iran were impressive. A Portugeezer at the helm. With Man Utd on his CV. 

And Iran were so well drilled. An oil pun here maybe. Not necessary. 

They defended valiantly, would have equalised but for VAR. Wiped it out and Spain scraped through, but Iran have a chance, a great chance. 

Only Portugal and Ronaldo stand in their way of glory. 

Only.

The Armchair Predicted

Iran 0-2 Spain

13 and 7

World Cup 2018: Morocco 0-1 Iran

To the constant hum and chirp of horns and blasters, Group A opened in entertaining style with both teams knowing it was win or bust here, what with Portugal and Spain awaiting.

Morocco went for it from the off and were unlucky not to score, but Iran proved why they qualified so well with super stolid defending and lightning quick counter attacking.

The awkward timing of the kick off meant The Armchair was on his way home from the office during the final 20 minutes, so missed Iran seal the win. A win he was delighted to hear about, given his prediction (below)

The Armchair Predicted: 

Morocco 0-1 Iran

Who Will Qualify From Group B in World Cup 2018?

The World Cup Group B teams

SPAIN 

MOROCCO

IRAN 

PORTUGAL

This one is going to be close. Really close. Seriously.

Why? Because I can't think of another time when so few miles have ever separated the 4 teams in the same World Cup group.

This is how close things are:

Iran’s a little way away admittedly, but the other three are virtually neighbours. Spain and Portugal actually are. That's how close Group Be is going to B

When it comes to matters on the pitch, this is unlikely to be a close group, with a clear top two and bottom two.

Even with Ronaldo missing the tournament, which he might, you’d still fancy the Euro 2016 winners to accompany their next door neighbours Spain into the Round of 16.

Of course, both have to play each other, first up, in the first week’s biggest game, serving up a big derby early on. The winner wins the group but odds have to be sky high that this ends a draw.

Despite the winners of the last three European Championships residing in this group, I don’t see the World Cup winners coming from here. Portugaldo peaked 2 years ago, a few years after this generation of Spanish players.

BETTING:

MY PREDICTED World Cup 2018 GROUP B Finishing Positions

1:  SPAIN

2:  PORTUGAL

3:  Iran

4:  Morocco

And even if that's totally wrong, well, you've just had a free geography lesson!