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Iran fans annoy to keep Ronaldo from scoring

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been on top this World Cup, as he scored all Portugal's four goals — until he missed a penalty against Iran which cost Portugal first place in Group B.

Iran's fans may have played a part, in their own fashion.

Hundreds of Iranian fans surrounded the hotel where Portugal's national team is based, making loud noises for several hours overnight in an attempt to disrupt opponents' sleep before the decisive match.

Iran was in second place in the group and needed a win over the European champions to advance to the knock-out stage. Portugual only needed a draw to advance, but a win to take the top position.

Ronaldo was filmed by Portuguese TV late at night by the window gesturing and asking the Iranian fans to be silent, but Monday morning there were still a few dozen of them playing loud music near the hotel in Saransk city center.

Iran fan and IT consultant Mehdi Fayez arrived Monday morning after reading messages from supporters saying they needed to trouble Portugal to stand a better chance of winning the match.

"I love Ronaldo, I love Portugal, but this is a big game. We have to do all it takes," a still joyful Fayez said, as he held an Iranian flag on the back of his head.

Montreh Fayoud, one of several Iranian women attending their first World Cup, disagreed.

"We were coming back from dinner and saw all these Iranians here. When I learned the reason, I decided to leave," she said.

At about noon on Monday, Portugal players had a quick walk around the hotel, but did not tour the city as they did before other matches in Russia.

Iranian fans later flooded Ronaldo's social media channels apologizing for the behavior of their countrymen in Russia.

One of them said "we hope those people will be forgiven for the mistake they made. On behalf of 80 million Iranians, from the bottom of our hearts, forgive us."