Beiranvand saved a second half penalty from Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after Ricardo Queresma had put the Portuguese in front and Karim Ansarifard’s penalty ensured the Iranians took a share of the spoils.

But while the result ensured Iran finished the World Cup with their best-ever haul of four points from three games, it was not enough to earn the country a spot in the knockout phase for the first time.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty before Portugal conceded an injury-time spot-kick as the European champions set up a last-16 clash with Uruguay.

Ricardo Quaresma curled in a trademark trivela goal on the stroke of half-time at the Mordovia Arena, but Ansarifard's late penalty dropped Portugal to second in Group B behind Spain.

Ronaldo won a second-half spot-kick after a video review but saw his effort saved, with the Real Madrid star unable to add to his four-goal tally at the tournament.

Portugal will face Uruguay in Sochi on July 30 for a place in the quarter-finals after ending IR Iran's hopes of reaching the knockout phase for the first time.

Ronaldo, scorer of all four Portugal goals in his country's first two games, forced IR Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand into an early save after barging his way into the box.

Joao Mario should have put Portugal in front after a defensive mix-up between Saeid Ezatolahi and Beiranvand, but the Inter Milan midfielder blazed over.

The win was the country’s first at the World Cup since their famous 1-0 victory over Belgium – courtesy of Saeed Al Owairan’s wonder goal – in Washington in 1994 and came courtesy of Al Dawsari’s 95th minute strike, when he fired low across Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary and into the far corner.

It was no more than the Saudis deserved after a campaign that started with a disappointing 5-0 loss to hosts Russia before a much more encouraging performance in a narrow 1-0 reversal against Uruguay.

That left Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side playing for pride in their final game in Group A and they can go home with their heads held high thanks to Al Dawsari’s late goal.

Saudi Arabia kicked-off the game with three changes in the starting lineup from the game against Uruguay, most notably, Juan Antonio Pizzi called upon Yasser Al Mosaileem between the sticks to make it three different goalkeepers in the Green Falcons' three fixtures.

Skipper Osama Hawsawi saw a third different centre-back partner as Motaz Hawsawi replaced Ali Al Bulaihi, who had himself taken the place of Omar Hawsawi.

Essam El Hadary, the oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup, marked his record achievement with one outstanding penalty save for Egypt but was powerless to stop a second Fahad Al-Muwallad's spot-kick, awarded for handball, at the Volgograd Arena.

But Saudi Arabia's Al-Dawsari's last-gasp winner secured their first World Cup victory since a run to the last 16 in 1994.

Mohamed Salah's Egypt still have not recorded a World Cup Finals win in three appearances, despite the Liverpool talisman's superb opening goal.

The Samurai Blue No 7 has been deployed alongside skipper Makoto Hasebe in a deeper midfield role in Akira Nishino's 4-2-3-1 set-up. 

But rather than being content with a holding role, Shibasaki has popped up everywhere, contributing in defence, attack and drifting out to the wings.

Indeed, while the hero of the 2-2 draw with Senegal might have been Takashi Inui - scorer of Japan's first and provider of their second - Shibasaki has a strong claim to having been the team's best player in each of their games so far. And, encouragingly for Nishino, he insists he can play much better.

Korea Republic are last in Group F with two defeats, but if they beat Germany and Sweden lose to Mexico, the Taeguk Warriors may advance to the Round of 16 with Mexico. Germany and Sweden both have one win and one defeat apiece, while Mexico lead the group with two wins.

Korea Republic, whose best performance in the World Cup came on home soil in 2002 where they finished fourth,  know it will be a tough challenge but Shin said they would give it their all.