*** ----> Morocco twice took the lead but Spain fought back to level through Isco and Aspas | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Morocco twice took the lead but Spain fought back to level through Isco and Aspas

Aspas scored a VAR-assisted equaliser in injury time as Spain scrambled a 2-2 draw with Morocco yesterday in a dramatic finale to their Group B campaign.

Aspas’s winner, initially disallowed but awarded after intervention from the Video Assistant Referee, saw Spain stumbled into the last 16 as group winners.

The Spaniards will now face World Cup hosts Russia in the second round after Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by Iran in the night’s other game.

Spain survived a real scare from a spirited Morocco side who had been leading 2-1 when the 90th minute began.

Aspas’ clever flick from a wide free kick was initially adjudged by the assistant referee to have been offside.

But after intervention from VAR it was given as a goal, much to the consternation of Moroccan players and substitutes, some of whom stormed the pitch.