FIFA WORLD CUP
World Cup 2018 : Iran Cause Morocco Upset With Defensive Masterclass
St. Petersburg, Russia – Iran cause Morocco upset with a 1-0 victory courtesy of a injury time own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz. Iran, somehow have won their first World Cup match since 1998.
Morocco dominated for most parts of the game, having a ball possession of 69% and thirteen shots. Of these, three were on goal. However, Iran held on until the end and capitalized from a free kick conceded by Moroccan substitute Sofyan Amrabat. Trying to clear a last-second ball across the goalmouth launched in by Iranian left back Hajsafi, Aziz Bouhaddouz of Morocco dove for a header, and the ball went unerringly into the corner of his own net.
It was a hard result for Morocco, which played the more enterprising, offensive minded game. The team had several chances that fell short during the contest, but at least looked like getting a point, until the terrible finish.
While Morocco occasionally threatened to score, Iran failed to trouble the goal much at all. Morocco took many of their shots from 40 yards or more and unsurprisingly failing to convert them. Though Iran now has three points in their group, they will have to be considered big underdogs to Spain and Portugal in the days ahead.
In the end, this poorly played game ended in the most appropriate fashion: with a substitute player putting the ball into the wrong net.
Morocco 0-1 Iran – Bouhaddouz OG (90+5)
