At 18:00, the B group matches started - Morocco clashed with Iran in St. Petersburg. In a rather dull match, Iran sensationally secured a victory at the end of the game with a 1-0 scoreline after scoring an own goal by their opponent.
Morocco started the game aggressively - the African representatives created several dangerous opportunities in the first few minutes. They just lacked precision until the goal.
During the first 20 minutes, Morocco completely dominated - in the 18th minute, the most dangerous moment occurred in front of Iran's goal when Moroccans had multiple consecutive strikes, but Iranian footballers managed to "swallow" all their attempts.
Later, the game of Iranian players became more active - they tried to punish the opponents with fast attacks from defense to offense, but Morocco did not have much trouble dealing with them on their side of the field.
In the 42nd minute, the Iranian national team created the most dangerous opportunity in the first half - Sardar Azmoun started running alone towards the goal, but the goalkeeper who had left his goal reacted in time to his shot. The ball rebounded to another Iranian, but he also failed to defeat Munir.
The second half began with a similar scenario - Morocco spent more time with the ball, while Iran went for dangerous counterattacks, but neither team managed to score quickly.
Until the 70th minute, both teams did not create any dangerous opportunities - the game showed more caution and ball control in the midfield.
In the 80th minute, one of the most dangerous opportunities of the second half was created - Hakim Ziyech launched a "bomb" from about 18 meters towards Iran's goal, but the goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to the shot from the Ajax defender.
The end of the match was dramatically unfolding - with only a few minutes left to play, Iran had a standard situation on the opponent's field and turned it into a victorious goal - painfully Aziz Bouhaddouz, who stubbornly hit his own goal, gifted the opponents a crucial victory.
Iran scored the first three points in their group and temporarily became the leader. Other teams in the group - Spain and Portugal - will also aim for points today.
Result:
Morocco 0 - 1 Iran 90+4' [0 - 1] A. Bouhaddouz (own goal)
Who's ready for Round 2? Just under one hour until we go again! #WorldCup #MARIRN pic.twitter.com/hvCV2V0Ar3
Big crowd at the Saint Petersburg Stadium today #MARIRN // #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/MMnQ70rC1S
