2018 World Cup Ranking: Predict Results, Results and Tables updated Monday | Bleacher's report

Spain can win Group B by beating Morocco in Kaliningrad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Monday. La Roja could put Portugal in second place in the game, even though Cristiano Ronaldo will help the UEFA EURO 2016 winners defeat a tenacious Iranian team in Saransk.

First place is at stake in Group A, which Uruguay can do with a win over Russia. However, the hosts have been in the form of free notation and will not easily surrender to the Samara arena.

Monday schedule

• Uruguay vs. Uruguay Russia, 18 hours local time (15 hours TSB/ 10:00 ET)
• Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt, 5 pm local time (3 pm TSB/ 10:00 ET)
• Spain against Morocco, 20 hours local time (19 hours TSB/ 2 AM ET)
• Iran vs Portugal, 9 pm local time (7 pm TSB/ 2 AM ET)

Scheduled tables

group A (Played, Goal difference, Points)

1. Russia: 3, +7, 7

2. Uruguay: 3, +2, 7

3. Egypt: 3, -1, 3

4. Saudi Arabia: 3, -8, 0

Group B

1. Spain: 3, +3, 7

2. Portugal: 3, +2, 7

3. Iran: 3, -1, 3

4. Morocco: 3, -4, 0

Uruguay 1-1 Russia

Uruguay was put in a position to win the group by beating Saudi Arabia last time. The match allowed Luis Suarez to regain his goal after a series of costly failures in a win over Egypt.

Suarez and striker Edinson Cavani are good enough to start a defense in the tournament. However, La Celeste could have a hard time holding a Russian club playing fluent football through two matches.

The hosts scored eight goals thanks in particular to the ingenuity in the midfield. Denis Cheryshev is assisted by three goals, while Aleksandr Golovin adds craftsmanship, as well as magic to plays.

In addition to their industry and their skills in the middle, Russia has a prolific player in the lead with Artem Dzyuba. The 29-year-old has scored in his last two games and is a good bet to add to his total.

Neither party will exercise too much with the qualification already ensured. Uruguay has the winners on the front, but its midfielder is similar to that of Russian intriguers.

It is more likely that both teams will exchange goals early before they settle for what they have and save energy for the next round.

Saudi Arabia 0-2 Egypt

After not having played the first match and being overtaken by the second, Mohamed Salah will try to score the tournament.

The Liverpool striker, author of a decisive goal, will remind the public of his rhythm, his perceptive movement and his infallible touch in front of goal. These qualities will send the Pharaohs with a welcome victory after the disappointment of losing 3-1 to Russia, a match where Salah scored from the penalty spot.

The Egyptian Football Association has felt compelled to complain to FIFA of the referee Enrique Caceres after the match against Russia, by BBC Sport. A complaint will not change the result, just as putting three points on the board in Volgograd will provide little consolation.

Spain 3-1 Morocco

Spain has the strength in depth little, if any, of the rest of the nations in the competition can match. The embarrassment of La Roja's wealth is more evident in midfield.

The familiar names of David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are still present. Still, Isco has also been a star, while his teammate Real Madrid Marco Asensio can unlock any defense.

Coach Fernando Hierro can even appeal to the Koke and Saul Niguez pair from Atletico Madrid, as well as to Bayern Munich's maestro, Thiago Alcantara. Hierro will have to decide how to refresh his ranks with a qualification already assured.

Morocco are eliminated, but Hierro may think that his passemen still need Diego Costa. The 29-year-old striker made the most of his chances thanks to two matches:

Alternatively, Hierro might want to rest his attack fitness talisman for the knockout round, all the more so as there is no shortage of quality alternatives. Iago Aspas and Rodrigo Moreno are both capable of scoring and creating goals.

No matter who starts, La Roja does not take Morocco lightly, with Busquets calling to focus, by Sid Lowe of guardian: "We know what the options are, but there is only one option for this game: win, play well, finish first. "

Spain will have enough ideas and talent to conclude its group campaign with style and take first place.

Iran 1-2 Portugal

Stacking in goals will probably be beyond Ronaldo and Co. against a tough defense of Iran. Ronaldo will try to get the better of a pretty stubborn group to keep a record of 12 without fail during qualifying.

Ronaldo's work will be made more difficult by the presence of Carlos Queiroz as the coach of Iran. The 65-year-old has helped sharpen the game of a young Ronaldo at Manchester United and has also worked with him internationally.

Queiroz demanded the concentration of his players, by Jon Fisher of Goal:

"Even in their dreams, my players did not imagine that they would ever play against Cristiano and all the other great Portugal players, so they are very excited"

"We will try to do our best, concentrate and fight in the first minute. We have nothing to lose, they have everything to lose, we have everything to gain"

Unfortunately for Ronaldo, Ronaldo is not the only threat that Portugal has. The Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Guedes has revealed himself to be a good defender of the star thanks to his looks and his diversity of movement.

Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes also have a lot of goals and talent in the midfield.

Iran was solid in a victory over Morocco, before self-paying brilliantly in a narrow defeat against Spain. Yet another close loss is being felt since the mix of Portuguese and youth experiences in the attack areas will prove decisive.