From Russia with love: Ronaldo penalty fear keeps Iran alive

Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand had flashbacks of facing a chest-puffing Cristiano Ronaldo before saving a first-minute penalty that kept his team's Asian Cup challenge alive.

The talismanic 26-year-old denied Oman captain Ahmed Al-Mahaijri to spark a 2-0 victory in Abu Dhabi at the weekend, sending title-chasing Iran into the quarter-finals.

But Beiranvand revealed that memories of keeping out Ronaldo's spot kick in a 1-1 draw with Portugal at last year's World Cup had helped him prevent a disastrous start against Oman.

"Ever since saving that kick from Cristiano, Iran fans expect me to save penalties," Beiranvand told AFP after the game.

"I actually did think about that moment for a fraction of a second -- I told myself I can't let everybody think what happened in Russia was a fluke," he added.

"I just tried to concentrate and tried to repeat it again at a different tournament. First and foremost, it's my duty to save penalties and help the team.

"But the way I look at my career at the moment, there's no limit to my dreams."
"I had already decided to dive that way," insisted Beiranvand. "But when Sardar gave me the sign I was 100 percent sure."
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"And after 43 years it's one of the biggest dreams of the Iranian people in terms of sport, so we definitely think about it."