Iran were gifted a late 1-0 victory over Morocco in their opening World Cup match yesterday when Aziz Bouhaddouz headed into his own net five minutes into injury time. The Group 'B' match here had been heading for a goalless draw until Bouhaddouz's unfortunate intervention as he tried to clear Ehsan Haji Safi's cross but only directed it past his own goalkeeper.

Morocco boasted two Premier League players in their starting line-up for the fixture — Romain Saiss of Wolves and Watford winger Nordin Amrabat. Morocco started on the front foot and came close to going ahead as Juventus defender Medhi Benatia forced a smart stop out of Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.The teams would head in level at the break with neither able to provide a moment of class to break the deadlock.