2018 World Cup: Morocco 0-1 Iran - As it happened

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Friday Jun 15, 2018. 18:58

Welcome to LIVE coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B match between Morocco and Iran from St. Petersburg Stadium in Russia.

STARTING LINEUPS:

Morocco: El Kajoui, Hakimi, Benatia, Saiss, Ziyach, Al Ahmadi, EL Kaabi, Belhanda, Boussoufa, Amrabat, Harit

Iran: Beiranvand, Safi, Cheshmi, Shojaei, Pouraliganji, Omid, Karim, Amiri, Jahanbakhsh, Sardar, Ramin

Commentary (press F5 to refresh)
All times CAT

90+6' Full time in St. Petersburg. Iran wins the clash 1-0 to move up to the top of the group with three points.

90+6' - GOAL - Bouhaddouz scores an own goal with a header from a corner. 1-0 to Iran

90+2’ – Caution for Karim

90' Six minutes to be added and both sides do not look like they will break the deadlock here.

87' Ziyach's volley is blocked and both sides are running out of time to score a winning goal.

85’ Jahanbakhsh replaced by Ghoddos

82’ SUB -  Harit replaced by Da Costa

78’ SUB – Omid makes way for Montazeri

77’ SUB – El Kaabi taken off for Bouadouz

75’ SUB - Injured Amrabat goes for Sofianne Amrabat, brother replacing the oldest

72' Morocco's Amrabat getting medical attention after a tussle on the touchline. No goals in the tie and we are now heading to the last 15 minutes.

67' SUB - Taremi on for skipper Shojaei

65' Iran makes the first change to force things in the game

61' Morocco have taken their feet off the pedal in terms of attacks, the ball is played in the middle of the park.

56' Both teams look to make changes as players are now warming up on the touchline. No goals in the match.

51' The game is evenly balanced for now, but Morocco had a chance which they failed to use through Hamit.

46' - Caution - Jahanbakhsh for a late tackle

46' The second half resumes in St. Petersburg.

45' It is half time in Russia between Morocco and Iran. No goals so far.

43’ Brilliant save by El Kajoui to deny Jahanbakhsh from a rebound, the keeper initially denied Azmun one-on-one from a swift counter attack.

39' El Kaabi fails to connect with a wonderful cross from the left flank. Another wasted chance by the Africans.

33' - Caution - Al Ahmadi booked for a silly foul to stop Iran's counter attack

30’ Good run by Harit into the box, skilful but the Schalke 04 player’s effort is swallowed by Beiranvand. No goals at St. Petersburg.

26' There is balance now in the match as Iran start to move the ball around comfortably. Morocco 0-0 Iran

20’ A scramble in the box sees the Moroccans failing to capitalise through Benatia until Iran clears the ball away for a corner. For the first time, Iran attack, but a cross is cleared in the penalty area.

15’ It is the North Africans who are still dominating the proceedings, but no clear cut chances to force a save on Beiranvand.

11' Iran defence under pressure and their clearance falls on the path of El Kaabi, yet the forward fails to direct effort at goal, it goes wide.

10' Shojaei booked for a foul in the middle of the park

10' Masoud Shojaei (Iran) is cautioned.

5’ Morocco start on a high, Ziyech misses a great opportunity, he can’t connect with the ball. Belhanda’s glancing header goes wide off the near post.

01' We are underway in the opening Group B match

On the other hand, Iran are also chasing their second win in 12 matches at the global stage and will hope to upset the North Africans.

Morocco will hope to start their Group B match on high as they make their return to the global tournament since 1998.