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Reuters

Sport

Simon Evans

Iran delight, Morocco despair at stoppage-time own goal

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Morocco vs Iran - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 15, 2018 Iran's Karim Ansarifard and Mehdi Taremi celebrate their first goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) - A heartbreaking stoppage-time own goal from substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz gave Iran a dramatic 1-0 win over Morocco in their World Cup Group B opener on Friday, a result they celebrated with unbridled delight.

In a group where Spain and Portugal are strong favourites to qualify for the knockout stage, the outcome gives Iran an outside chance of an upset but was a bitter blow for an enterprising Moroccan side.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Morocco vs Iran - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 15, 2018 Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz scores an own goal and the first goal for Iran REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

Iran left back Ehsan Hajsafi whipped in a free kick five minutes into added time and Bouhaddouz launched himself at the ball, flashing a header past his own keeper Munir Mohamedi.

The Iranians, who had not won a World Cup game since their victory over the United States in 1998, celebrated as if they had won the tournament, leaving the field only reluctantly after lengthy and emotional embraces.

Their Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz was thrown in the air by his team and more than just a reflection of joy it was acknowledgment that the tactician's approach of diligent defending in numbers and a tight shape in midfield had paid off.

"Our strategy was from the first minute to create a mental collapse in the Moroccan players. We tried to do that by creating frustration and blocking all their creative players," said Queiroz, the former assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and ex-Real Madrid coach.

"The first game is always difficult and very hard and this one was not different. But it was beautiful. It was a great football match," he added.

Bouhaddouz lay inconsolable with his face in the grass, devastated by a mistake which forced his country to reflect on a second major footballing blow of the week after their bid to host the 2026 World Cup failed.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Morocco vs Iran - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 15, 2018 Iran's Reza Ghoochannejhad and team mates salute their fans after the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

"My players are down, but we can only blame ourselves," said coach Herve Renard.

"We made mistakes in the build-up to the goal against a team that was on the back foot for most of the match and that’s one of the factors that led to this crucifixion," he said.

"It’s our own fault and also my responsibility. Now, we have to prepare for our next two matches really well.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Morocco vs Iran - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 15, 2018 Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz looks dejected after scoring an own goal for Iran's first goal as Iran's Mehdi Taremi and Karim Ansarifard celebrate REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

IMPRESSIVE TALENT

When the pain subsides, however, they should take at least some heart from a performance which showcased some impressive talent, well assembled by Frenchman Renard.

Perhaps it should have been no surprise that defences dominated given the two teams had been so impressive in that aspect of the game during qualification.

Morocco only conceded one goal in eight games, while Iran let in just five in 18 Asian qualifiers.

There was nothing cautious about the way the Moroccans approached the game, though.

They enjoyed more possession and began in particularly aggressive fashion, taking the game to their opponents and overloading their right flank as they targeted Hajsafi.

That approach almost paid off when Nordin Amrabat whipped in a dangerous cross from the right but Younes Belhanda’s header from an acute angle flashed wide.

Iran were missing the calming influence of suspended holding midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi as Morocco over-ran them in the centre of the park with the clever Mbark Boussoufa directing play as the African side frequently attacked in numbers.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group B - Morocco vs Iran - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 15, 2018 Iran players celebrate victory after the match REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

Morocco almost turned that initial pressure into a goal in the 19th minute when following a scramble in the area, Medhi Benatia’s shot was well saved by Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Queiroz had clearly given his side instructions to defend deep and look to break on the counter-attack and two minutes before the break that approach almost bore fruit.

Striker Sardar Azmoun broke clear though the middle but he shot straight at Mohamedi who got up quickly to keep out a follow-up effort from Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

Chances were at a premium after the break, with both sides keeping their shape well, but a sweetly-struck effort from Morocco's Hakim Ziyech brought out a fine save from Beiranvand.

Then came the error from Bouhaddouz, the drama and the agony as Iran grabbed just their second World Cup win.