Iran met Morocco in its opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Group B match was played on June 15, 2018, at Saint Petersburg Stadium in Russia. Iran won 1–0 after Morocco defender Aziz Bouhaddouz accidentally headed the ball into his own net in stoppage time.
The result gave Iran three important points in a group that also included Spain and Portugal. Morocco created several chances, but Iran’s disciplined defense and goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand kept the match level until the late own goal.
This was Iran’s first World Cup victory since defeating the United States in 1998. The match was also notable because Iran and Morocco had never previously met in a World Cup match. Iran ultimately finished third in Group B with four points, narrowly missing the knockout stage.