Morocco vs Iran: 2018 FIFA World Cup highlights, scores, blog

Full Time Iran have stolen a vital last second win, and only their second win in World Cup history, after a 95th minute own goal by Morocco gave the Asian nation an amazing first up victory. The St Petersburg Stadium was alight in the first half, as a rampant Morocco attacked at will, but were unable to breakdown a defence that had not conceded a world cup qualification goal in over ten matches. Morocco held the ball with ease at times, and moved the ball with lightning pace on both flanks, as they attacked Iran as hard as they could muster. Nourredine Amrabat in particular was a menace for Iran, as he charged the right wing, getting the ball continuously into dangerous areas. In the 19th minute, Morocco had their best chance of the half, as a goal mouth scramble saw Iranian keeper Ali Beiranvand make a reflex save, before his defence came to his assistance to maintain Iran's clean sheet. This would prove to be something of a turning point for Morocco, who shortly after ran out of puff. Once the Morocco pressure was relieved, Iran had their own chances in the first half, to the point that Iran should have taken the lead, when on the counter, Iran drew the double save from the Moroccan keeper, and a pulsating first half finished nil-all, but a high expectation of more. That expectation was never met in the second half, as both teams seemingly accepted the fate of taking a point away from the game, and while Morocco had the lions' share of possession (over 60%), they could not make it work in their favour, the best chance of the half falling to Hakim Ziyach, who rocketed a shot from outside the area, demanding a great save from Beiranvand. Morocco would regret their missed chances. Instead, it would be heartbreak for the African nation, as unlucky defender Aziz Bouhaddouz headed a last minute free kick into his own net, to give Iran the win. So late was the goal, there was only time to re-start, and kick the ball to the Iran keeper, before the referee blew full-time. An interesting affair in St Petersburg, and a game of two halves. While Iran statistically were the inferior team, they have shown the age-old adage continues to ring true, in that the only statistic that matters is the scoreboard, and on this occasion, Iran have the statistic that matters: a goal. With both teams to face off against powerhouses Spain and Portugal, Morocco will face an uphill battle to get to the knockout stage, while Iran will hope to ride their luck into the last 16. Morocco: 0 Iran: 1

Full Time And that will do it. Iran will win with a winning goal in the second half, having not have a shot on goal themselves. What an utterly remarkable game.

Goal 95' - Morocco own goal, can you believe that?! The free kick comes in, and the header from the Moroccan defence is pinpoint accurate into the near post. Perfect header, wrong end. Iran look like they are going to get the win! Morocco: 0 Iran: 1

94' - Ok. Iran have a free kick here, after a clumsy challenge by the Moroccan defence. Iran will send this in from the left, outside the goal area. All Iranian bodies in the area.

Yellow Card 92' - Ansarifard with a card here for Iran. Getting a big temperamental in the late stages. Morocco looking the only side likely to score. That offside won't help though.

91' - Right, 6 minutes of stoppage time. And as we speak, a Morocco player is on his haunches. Da Costa. He only just came on as well.

90' - Iran's keeper sends the free kick long, Morocco sends it back with interest. They have the ball in defence, and look to build for a final few attacks.

88' - There should be a fair bit of stoppage time here - substitutions and injuries. Iran clear it long again, nobody there to claim it, everyone is in the Iran half. Morocco break on the right, the cross comes in, Iran clear, Morocco foul. And there's the first injury roll for the night. Referee having none of it though.

86' - Yeah, these teams are tiring now. Morocco give away possession sillily on the right. Iran can throw it out of danger. Ball lofted into the middle of the park. Twice. Iran blast it long, keeper takes it, Iran fouls Benatia. Disappointing second half to be honest.

84' - Another substitution coming up, as the stretcher is called for an Iran player. SUB: Jahanbakhsh off, Ghaddos on. Big loss for Iran. Hopefully it's nothing major.

82' - SUB: Harit off, Da Coasta on. Good game by the youngster, but he never really got going in the second half.

81' - Iran clear the danger from the corner. What a goal that would have been. Morocco looking to make a last change.

80' - ZIYACH WITH A CHANCE! That was right on target, the keeper for Iran goes low and to his right, and tips the ball around the upright. What a stunning effort from Ziyach.

79' - SUB: Ebrahimi off, Montazeri comes on. big kick and slash on Ebrahimi's ribs. he didn't look well. Anyway, into the last ten or so minutes. Hopefully some goals.

77' - SUB: El Kaabi comes off, Aziz El Ayoub comes on for Iran. Meanwhile, another Iranian is down, holding his ribs. That would be Ebrahimi. I think he's coming off too. It's all gotten very disorganised now.

76' - SUB: Amrabat comes off, Amrabat comes on in his place. Brothers I'm informed.

75' - Morocco concede the foul trying to break down the Iran counter. Amrabat still not back on. He may be getting subbed. Another Moroccan player down. This is deteriorating a little bit to be honest.

Not sure if Amrabat is ok or not. He did land on his face.

72' - Heavy collision here on the right. Amrabat is down, and he looked a touch groggy. No Iranian players down though. The game has lost a fair amount of its energy.