Iran defeats Morocco with an own goal in stoppage time of the second half.

SAINT PETERSBURG (Reuters) - Aziz Bouhaddouz scored an own goal in the 50th minute of the second half, giving Iran a surprising 1-0 victory over Morocco in their first Group B World Cup match on Friday.

The underdogs in a group that includes Spain and Portugal were tied 0-0 until Ehsan Hajsafi took a free kick from the left, which Bouhaddouz tried to intercept at the near post, but put the ball into his own net.

It was a cruel result for Morocco, who were making their first World Cup appearance in 20 years. After a good start to the match, the Moroccans will regret a cautious performance in the second half.

Morocco's goalkeeper, Munir Mohamedi, had already made good saves from a precise shot by Sardar Azmoun and an attempt by Alireza Jahanbakhsh, while the Iranian goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand, also deflected a shot from Hakim Ziyech.

The Iranians, who hadn't won a World Cup match since beating the United States in 1998, celebrated as if they had won a title, since the result considerably increases their chances in a group that also includes Spain and Portugal.

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