Morocco 0-1 Iran
The World Cup 2018 is a gift that keeps on giving as it showers us with fantastic football featuring some of the world’s best footballing countries. Fans can always count on these nations to give us unforgettable football games to catch as they chase after the elusive World Cup trophy, arguably the highest honour in football.
Russia has already made way with their fantastic opener against Saudi Arabia, leaving the entire world buzzing with what’s to come in this World Cup. Uruguay and Egypt put on a performance that was also nothing short of remarkable. And the recently concluded duel between Morocco and Iran is another example of first-class football!
Both teams threatened to score for most of the contest at Saint-Petersburg Stadium as they tried to defy the World Cup 2018 betting tips made against them. Morocco had plenty of opportunities to put themselves in a better situation, but late-game drama cost them the three points.
Highlights of the game
🇲🇦#MARIRN 🇮🇷
90+5′ | Aziz Bouhaddouz scored an own goal! 0-1! #IRN #Rusia2018 #WorldCup #MAR pic.twitter.com/7rAt1w3v0E
— SBOBET (@SBOBET) June 15, 2018
The two nations, closely placed in the FIFA men’s rankings, played an incredibly close football match that aptly matches the final score from the moment the first kick was made. Morocco dominated much of the game with their attacking football and the many attempts they made at the persistent Iranian defence.
The first good chance of the game came at the fourth minute when Nordin Amrabat crosses the ball into the head of Younes Belhanda. His header, however, went far off the post and gave Iran the goal kick. Ayoub El Kaabi’s attempt came in after five minutes after the Iranian defence gave him enough leeway for a shot. Fortunately for Team Melli, the shot went wide left.
Alireza Beiranvand wasn’t given much time to rest when he had to deflect a shot in the 19th minute. Mehdi Benatia got the rebound and drilled a powerful strike goalwards. However, the ball went straight to Beiranvand’s gloves.
The very physical game didn’t see much action since then as both nations tried to get a hold of the possession. Plenty of Iranian bodies were falling to the ground as the Lions of the Atlas were doing their best to take the ball away from the Iranians. Sardar Azmoun actually endured a knock in the process, forcing a physio to come on and take a look at him.
Iran would not have a real chance at goal until the 44th minute. Azmoun started a brilliant run through the Moroccan defence and set up a one-on-one between Munir Mahamedi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh. The Numancia keeper made a brilliant save against Jahanbakhsh’s attempt and force a corner.
The second half saw much of the same fare as the previous half: more physical football and disjointed shot attempts. The half saw several injuries as Nordin Amrabat, Omid Ebrahimi and Jahanbakhsh picked up injuries. In particular, Amrabat suffered a concussion and had to be taken out of the match.
Hakim Ziyech had a clear chance to put Morocco ahead when he was allowed to take a mid-range shot in the 80th minute. The ball rocketed from his foot to the lower-left corner of the goal. However, Beiranvand made another fantastic denial.
The game entered its six minutes of added time, and it seemed like the game is bound to be over. However, Sofyan Amrabat made a rough challenge on the fourth minute of added time, conceding a free kick in a very dangerous spot.
Ehsan Hajsafi fired the fated free kick to the box and it went straight to the head of Aziz Bouhaddouz. Instead of heading it to safety, he pushed the ball towards the net for an own goal.
The last-gasp drama took the wind out of Morocco, who played fantastic football until that point. It also gave Iran a much-needed victory to aid their chances of making it through.
Key statistics
Iran are the best Asian team heading into Russia, but they haven’t won a game in the World Cup finals for twenty years. This awe-inspiring victory ended the drought and will make them huge heroes on many World Cup 2018 news circles.
Another interesting statistic in this match is the amount of possession the losing side had. Morocco had the lion’s share of the possession and still lost, following the script that was used in the Russia-Saudi Arabia match.
The physicality of this match cannot be ignored as well. This match saw the two nations combining for 36 fouls and four yellow cards. Tempers flared as Cuneyt Cakri tried to take control of the match and stop these passionate men from going at each other’s throats.
What’s next?
Iran will have a bit of a breathing room coming into their match against Spain. The result of the Iberian Derby will determine their approach in this match, but the three points will allow them a bit more breathing room.
Meanwhile, Morocco will be facing a tough test against Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo will always be a tough assignment for any squad, and Herve Renard needs to plan carefully to stop CR7 in his tracks.
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