FIFA World Cup 2018:Morocco scores the winning goal for opponents Iran
Strange but true. It was Morocco that scored the winning goal in the 95th minute to give Iran a 1-0 win in the FIFA World Cup 2018 in the first game of Group B.
Today, the second day, had goals on ration as in the first game of the day, Uruguay defeated Egypt by a late second half goal.
And in the second game of the day, Iran took Morocco by scruff of the neck, thanks to self goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz in the 95th minute, i.e. fifth minute of the extra time given to compensate for time lost in stoppages during the stipulated period.
Morocco, returning to World Cup finals after a gap of 20 years, looked a certain winner in the first half as it piled furious attacks. But three times Asian champion Iran, known for its stout defence, did not allow their African opponents to score.
An unwanted infringement that led to a kick saw the goal bound shot headed into his own goal by Aziz Bouhaddoz to give the Iranians a win. Incidentally, it was first win for any Asian team in this year's World Cup as Saudi Arabia had lost to the hosts Russia yesterday.
As luck would have it, it was a sad day for both the African teams. Both Egypt and Morocco, lost by late second half goals.
Morocco maintained a good tempo in the first half building good moves. In the second half, however, Iran came back into game and matched their opponents with equally good moves. Both teams frittered away good scoring chances.
Unfortunately, Morocco, not only missed more chances but also lost full points from a pool that has two top European teams - Portugal and Spain.
Iran lived upto to its reputation team of a defensive team that ends games with narrow margins. Today it got a match winning goal as a gift from its more fancied opponents, Morocco.
