Morocco 0 Iran 1: Carlos Quieroz’s men grab all three points thanks to late own-goal
Two teams gave it their all during feisty clash but it was Iran who left with all three points
MOROCCO sub Aziz Bouhaddouz broke down in tears after his last-gasp own-goal handed Iran all three points today.
Heading for a goalless draw in the World Cup group stage clash, Bouhaddouz somehow headed into his own net in the 94th minute from a free-kick under no pressure.
The disastrous cock-up saw the Morocco ace burst into floods of tears, but it couldn't have been any sweeter for Iran as THREE players jumped on each other's backs before manager Carlos Queiroz was hurled into the air during raucous celebrations.
It was their first World Cup win since 1998 and Carlos Queiroz's side will now be looking for one more shock against Spain or Portugal.
Neither created a host of clear-cut chances in a game which started at full throttle but ended in little more than a whimper before the fireworks in injury time.
Iran golden boy Sardar Azmoun fluffed his lines when it mattered most and it looked for all money that it would end 0-0.
Played out to the deafening noise of vuvuzelas in the Krestovsky stadium, Morocco raced out of the traps and looked good enough to cause a shock or two in Group B.
The first 15 minutes saw Iran camped in repelling wave after wave of attack, barely touching the ball.
The Africans’ full-backs, in particular Watford’s Nordin Amarabat, bombed on and caused carnage, firing in cross after cross.
But they failed to create any clear-cut chances other than Mehdi Benatia forcing a fine save from Alireza Beiranvand after a goal mouth scramble.
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And Carlos Queiroz’s side grew into the game looking to pounce on the counter, and should have gone in at the break a goal up.
With Morocco’s defence all at sea, Azmoun, 23, was played through on goal but after a heavy touch he smashed straight at Mohamedi.
Iran, created in the mould of former Manchester United assistant Queiroz, may lack quality and guile, but they put their bodies on the line and make the opposition work to create chances.
Both sides cancelled each other out as the game wore on in an increasingly scrappy affair.
Morocco pushed late on through Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech, but his fizzing effort was brilliantly turned around the post Beiranvand.
Neither side showed enough desire or willingness to risk everything to find a late goal, with a 0-0 the fairest result all round.
But sometimes luck is on your side - and it certainly was with Iran in St Petersburg.
A free-kick was swung in, and under no pressure Bouhaddouz inexplicably diverted into his own net to leave Morocco crestfallen and Iran jubilant.
