A CRUEL last-gasp own goal has handed Iran their second ever World Cup win, as they emerged with a 1-0 victory against Morocco in St Petersburg.
It’s the first win at the tournament for an Asian side since 2010, and the Iranians’ first victory since they beat the United States in 1998.
Aziz Bouhaddouz was the villain for the Moroccans, as the substitute attempted to turn away a late free kick, only to head into his own net. The forward collapsed to his knees after beating his own stopper to consign his side to an excruciating defeat.
They’ll rue an inability to capitalise on some early dominance, as a rampant first half failed to yield an opener.
The Moroccans got off to a barnstorming start, as their star-studded midfield – headlined by the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Younes Belhanda and Nordin Amrabat – controlled the tempo and concocted a range of menacing attacking moves.
The best of which came following a long range free kick as a well floated ball was nodded back into a crowded penalty area, and proceeded to ping pong around the box as multiple Moroccan players did their best to manufacture a meaningful effort on goal.
Skipper Medhi Benatia eventually managed to steer an effort towards the target, only to have it blocked away by a scrambling Irani defence.
Soon after, the Asian representatives settled into the clash, and went about mounting a range of dangerous counter attacks – aimed at unleashing young strike weapon Serdar Azmoun.
And it was the Rubin Kazan man who found himself on the end of the best chance of the opening half as some well-crafted midfield play sent the front man one-on-one with goalkeeper Munir.
Despite a heavy touch and a stumble, Azmoun got off a well-directed shot, forcing the stopper into a quality save low to his right, as he somehow maintained parity heading into the break.
And it was to be more of the same out of the sheds, as both sides fought hard for supremacy. Carlos Queiroz’s men continued to set about their counter attacking style, which reaped benefits – although none which merited a meaningful strike on goal.
While the African side continued to boss possession they too struggled to test Irani goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Watford’s Amrabat looked dangerous down the right flank, while young Real Madrid fullback Achraf Hakimi showed why he’s so highly rated at the European Champions with a composed performance in both attack and defence.
Creative outlet Ziyech has been touted as a potential transfer target for some of the world’s biggest clubs should he perform in Russia, and his opening showing displayed hints of why he’s so highly rated.
