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Portugal has yet to show the form that saw it to the semifinals of the 2016 UEFA European U-19 Championship, nor have we seen much sign of the ability of the Benfica players in the squad who made a run to the final of the 2016-17 UEFA Youth League. Unless those players or the team that won its group at the U-19 Euros shows up for this match, Portugal will head out of 2017 Men's U-20 World Cup as arguably the biggest casualty of the group stage.
It's win-or-go-home time for Portugal. Two points from three games doesn't look at all likely to be enough for a third-place team to advance to the next round of the tournament. The Portuguese need all three points from this match to take second place in Group C, or (if Costa Rica gets a big win over Zambia) at least a good shot at qualifying for the knockout rounds as one of the better third-placed teams in the group stage.
For Iran, a loss would quite likely be the end of its tournament: the team would finish with three points and a lower goal difference than at least one other third-placed team in the group stage - Group A's Argentina. There is only room for four third-placed teams in the knockout rounds, and Iran would already be behind both the third-placed sides in Groups A and B. And, if Costa Rica were to beat Zambia in this round of games, Iran would finish bottom of Group C with a loss to Portugal.
All of which is to say, Portugal isn't the only team in this game with a lot at stake. Iran will want the win, or at least the draw, to settle any question of whether it is going to the round of 16.
If the Portugal any expected to see at this tournament finally shows up, this game could be very difficult for Iran. Even the Portugal team that played the last two games in the group will be a tough opponent. But Iran has showed it can give as good as it gets. It scored two goals against Zambia, and it will like it chances of getting one or two against the Portuguese.
Current standings in Group C:
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
| 1 | Zambia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 |
| 2 | Iran | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| 3 | Portugal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| 4 | Costa Rica | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
Per livesoccertv.com, here's where to find the game if watching from the USA: