Russia 2018
Own goal hands Iran dramatic victory
15 Jun 2018
- IR Iran claim huge last-gasp three points
- Aziz Bouhaddouz heads into his own net deep into stoppage time
- Morocco dominated opening period
For the second time on Friday, a last-minute goal has transformed the state of a group at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, and cut down a North African side. While it was Uruguay in the earlier encounter, a heartbreaking own goal sunk Morocco in IR Iran's favour for a 1-0 win.
Morocco flew out of the traps in Saint Petersburg, carving out some sensational chances, but Iran easily could have gone in ahead at the break. By contrast, the second-half hardly had a opening worthy of note, until deep in stoppage time when Aziz Bouhaddouz headed into his own net.
Team reporter analysis
Siavash Rahmani [Follow: Twitter]
Iran made it. A second ever win at a World Cup. Team Melli found itself still in the game come the closing stages after being under pressure in the opening minutes. They hit Morocco on the counter-attack at certain points, but to score the crucial goal they had to wait until the final seconds of stoppage time. That own goal leaves Iran hopeful and eager for their upcoming fixtures, but they still need at least a point to have a chance at qualifying.
Gallery: Morocco 0-1 IR Iran
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Monir El Kajoui of Morocco looks dejected after conceeding during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Jamie Squire - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Karim Ansarifard of Iran celebrates victory after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Younes Belhanda of Morocco looks dejected during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Carlos Queiroz, Head coach of Iran issues intructions to Karim Ansarifard during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Jamie Squire - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Sardar Azmoun of Iran looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Karim Ansarifard of Iran reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Manuel Da Costa of Morocco is fouled by Ramin Rezaeian of Iran during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: General view inside the stadium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Herve Renard, Head coach of Morocco reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Sardar Azmoun of Iran and Noureddine Amrabat of Morocco race to the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Sardar Azmoun of Iran sees his shot deflected by Yassine Bounou of Morocco during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Sardar Azmoun of Iran run off the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Ehsan Haji Safi of Iran is tackled by Noureddine Amrabat of Morocco during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Mehdi Benatia of Morocco battles for possession with Sardar Azmoun of Iran during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Carlos Queiroz, Head coach of Iran greets Herve Renard, Head coach of Morocco prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: General view inside the stadium as the teams perform their national anthems prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Herve Renard, Head coach of Morocco and his backroom staff sign the national anthem prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Masoud Shojaei of Iran walks out with his mascot prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Jamie Squire - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: A detailed view of the World Cup logo seen on the back of a match officials boot prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Carlos Queiroz, Head coach of Iran walks out to the pitch ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Jamie Squire - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: General view inside Morocco dressing room prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: An Iran fan looks on prior to during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: General view inside Iran dressing room prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Jamie Squire - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: An Iran fan enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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Morocco v Iran: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
15 Jun 2018
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 15: Morocco fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Morocco and Iran at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Zineb El Houari [Follow: Twitter]
A heartbreaking defeat for Morocco. They had the chances, but Amine Harit's superb supply only reflected the glaring absence of a true centre-forward in the team. In five visits now, Morocco have never won their first World Cup match. Ultimately, the absence of Nabil Dirar cannot be underestimated and it will be a real challenge to pick themselves up for the Portugal game.
Budweiser Man of the Match
Amine Harit - Lively, creative and a handful that Iran rarely got under control, the Schalke winger was pivotal in the first half and his efforts deserved to have seen Morocco at least on the scoresheet at the break.
The stat
2 - This result brings about 1998 deja vu for both sides. While Iran are enjoying their second ever win at a World Cup, having beaten USA in France, Morocco last conceded an own goal in that tournament as well. That one, from Youssef Chippo, came in their opener too, a 2-2 draw with Norway.
What’s next
Morocco v Portugal – Group B, 20 June, Moscow (Luzhniki)
Iran v Spain – Group B, 20 June, Kazan
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