Own-goal gifts Iran 1-0 victory

AZIZ BOUHADDOUZ, head in his hands and face buried in the turf, was probably unaware of the opposing players and coaches swarming all around him in jubilation.

Some teammates tried to console him, but it did little good.

In the second dramatic finish to a World Cup match yesterday Iran were gifted a 1-0 win over Morocco in Group B because of Bouhaddouz’s own-goal in the fifth minute of injury time.

Only on the field as a 77thminute substitute, the Morocco striker dived to reach an inswinging free kick from the left and glanced the ball past his own goalkeeper inside the near post.

“We were crucified,” Morocco coach Herve Renard said.

WILD CELEBRATIONS

It was Iran’s second win in 13 matches at the World Cup, and Asia’s first since the 2010 tournament in South Africa. Showing just how much it meant, Iran’s players threw coach Carlos Queiroz into the air after the final whistle.

They hugged and danced, savouring the best moment of their careers. Back in Iran, locals poured into the streets in celebration.

Renard said his team “fell into the trap” set by Iran, which sat back and relied on the defensive strength that carried the team through Asian qualifying by conceding only two goals in 10 games. Morocco started well but then faded.