FIFA World Cup 2018: Morocco's gift to Iran on Eid: An own goal, a win

For the second time in a day at Russia 2018, a late goal at the death is the match-winner.

At St. Petereferee's Krestovsky Stadium, the refree looked at his watch at the 90th minute and decided to give six generous minutes for extra-time. The Iranian players would have wished less at that point, especially after losing their star man Alirez Jahanbakshsh and because they were being utterly dominated. Five minutes in, the Iranians were the ones erupting in joy, and the Moroccon players had their heads in their hands. Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz had scored, into his own net.

The first half was a balanced affair. Morocco started the game on the front foot and remained there for at least the first 30 minutes with Iran reduced to merely surviving. By that time, Morocco had already taken nine shots, none of which produced a goal though.

The script changed late in the first half though after Iran started pushing forward. In fact, near the 40th minute, Moroccan goalkeeper Manir Mohamedi did fantastically to deny Sardar Azmoun and keep the scores level. The two teams had already taken 18 shots between them. 

Iran vs Morocco (Photo: Reuters)

If the first half was balanced, the second half was anything but that. Morocco seized control of the match and possession of the ball. The match in itself had far from the smoothness of the first half, with injuries and substitutions punctuating the entire half. First to go was Morocco's Nordin Amrabat who was caught by an accidental shoulder from Iran's Ehsan Hajsafi in the 75th minute. Amrabat was taken out by the medical staff in the 75th minute, despite the winger's protests. 

Iran also faced an injury scare of their own in the 83rd minute. Their two-footed winger Alirez Jahanbakshsh went down with a cramp and he was replaced by Saman Ghoddos. But the real action came late in the extra-time. Iran won themselves a free-kick on the left wing in the 94th minute. Ehsan Haji Safi took the free kick and kicked the ball at the near post. Morocco's substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz, in trying to keep the ball out, unwittingly headed the ball into his own net, leaving the goalkeeper hapless.

The Iranians tore away in celebration and formed a pile near the corner post as they started the celebration. The goal was against the run of the play, but the Iranian players didn't care. Iran only had 32 per cent possession as they were dominated in the second half, but they did not care. Carlos Queiroz's side had won their first World Cup win in 20 years, and, it was a gift, which they happily accepted.   

Morocco play Portugal next while Iran face Spain. The surprise loss here has made things tough for Morocco in their aim to advance from the group stage.

Trivia:

-- Morocco completed 205 of 245 passes in the first half, more than three times as many as opponents Iran (62/110). (Source: Opta)

-- Morocco were the only team not to concede a single goal in the third round of CAF qualifiers for Russia 2018 (6 games). (Source: Opta)

-- Aziz Bouhaddouz is the first substitute to score an own goal in a World Cup match since Petit for Portugal against Germany in July 2006. (Source: Opta)

--Since 1966, Iran are the first team to score a goal in a half of football in the World Cup without attempting a single shot in that half. (Source: Opta)

Confirmed line-ups:

Morocco: Monir El Kajoul (GK), Achraf Hakimi, Mehdi Benatia (C), Romain Saiss, Hakim Ziyach, Karim El Ahmadi, Younes Belhanda, Mbark Boussoufa, Noureddine Amrabat, Amine Harit, Ayoub El Kabbi

Iran: Ali Beiranvand (GK), Ehsan Hajisafi, Roozbeh Cheshmi, Morteza Pouraliganji, Ramin Rezaeian, Masoud Shojael (C), Omid Ebrahimi, Vahid Amiri, Karim Ansarifard, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Sardar Azmoun.

Formations: Both teams start with a 3-4-3

Sandwiched between two high-profile matches in the day, it will nonetheless be a crucial contest for both teams who meet for the first time. Both will need a win to have any chance of qualifying from their group. 

When and where to watch:

The match will be telecasted live in English on SONY TEN 2, in Hindi on SONY TEN 3 and in Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu on SONY ESPN.

Time: 8.30 PM IST

For live streaming, the match can be streamed at sonyliv.com

Road to World Cup: Iran qualified for their fifth appearance at the World cup while topping their group. In the 2014 World Cup, Iran could manage just one goal although they will expect to find the back of the net more often this time with better-attacking options. 

Morocco is appearing in World Cup finals for the fifth tournament. They last played in a World Cup two decades ago in 1998. Morocco also topped their group during the World Cup qualifiers.

Iran 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers:Amir Abedzadeh, Alireza Beiranvand, Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri

Defenders: Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Majid Hosseini, Mohammad Khanzadeh, Milad Mohammadi, Pejman Montazeri, Morteza Pouraliganji, Ramin Rezaeian

Midfielders: Vahid Amiri, Ashkan Dejagah, Omid Ebrahimi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Ali Gholizadeh, Ehsan Hajsafi, Masoud Shojaei, Mehdi Torabi

Forwards: Karim Ansarifard, Saman Ghoddos, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mehdi Taromi

Formation and tactics: Iran line up in a 4-3-3 with a midfielder who sits deep in front of the back four. The team tries to win the ball aggressively and often uses long passes to the wingers who deliver crosses to the forwards. 

Players to watch out for: Two-footed winger Alirez Jahanbakshsh.

Morocco 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui, Yassine Bounou, Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti 

Defenders: Medhi Benatia, Romain Saiss, Manuel Da Costa, Nabil Dirar, Achraf Hakimi, Hamza Mendyl 

Midfielders: M'barek Boussoufa, Karim El Ahmadi, Youssef Ait Bennasser, Sofyan Amrabat, Younes Belhanda, Faycal Fajr, Amine Harit 

Forwards: Khalid Boutaib, Aziz Bouhaddouz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Mehdi Carcela, Hakim Ziyech, Nordin Amrabat, Youssef En-Nesyri. + 1 reserve: Oualid El Hajjam

Formation and tactics: Juventus centre-back Medhi Benatia is the captain and the star player. Morocco play a 4-3-3, with one of the central midfielders pushing up to support attacks from the hole. Morocco likes to defend well and then break at pace. 

Key players: Captain Medhi Benatia. Hakin Ziyech for creativity.