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As it happenedended

Morocco vs Iran LIVE World Cup 2018: Latest score, goals and updates from St Petersburg

Follow all the latest news from the second Group B match in Russia

Molly Hudson
Friday 15 June 2018 12:46 EDT
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2018 Russia World Cup in numbers

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Fresh from losing the World Cup 2026 bid, a disappointed Morocco will be in action against Iran in the first game of Group B in St Petersburg.

Both Morocco and Iran will be desperate to secure victory to get any chance of reaching the round of 16 given that the last two European champions are in their group in Portugal and Spain.

Morocco No 9 Ayoub el Kaabi is a man to look out for as they vie for the first three points in the group.

Follow all the live action below...


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What time is kick-off?

Morocco vs Iran kicks off at 4pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown on ITV.

Odds

Morocco: 13/10

Iran: 61/20

Draw: 41/20

Prediction

Morocco 1-1 Iran. Both teams will be pushing for the victory in their first game and could end up cancelling each other out.

But who do you think will win? Let us know by voting above.

7 mins: Harit goes on a wonderful Messi-esque run, before being hauled down. Morocco looking a class above their opposition early on.

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:09

9 mins: Chance after chance falls to Morocco, although none that could be described as a must score. Nordin Amrabat has made a bright start down the right.

Masoud Shojaei picks up an early yellow card. Iran need to hang in here until they can take a breath and settle in.

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:12

13 mins: Morocco continue to fly forward, and on the basis of the first 10 minutes, could prove a tricky obstacles for Spain and Portugal.

Despite all their early dominance the score remains 0-0, and they will want to capitalise on this dominance before Iran undoubtedly improve.

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:17

13 mins: A couple of times in the last few minutes the odd throw in and stoppage in possession from Iran has taken significantly longer than necessary. Their need to slow the game down so early shows Morocco's complete dominance, but also Iran's ability to frustrate

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:18

19 mins: Absolute carnage in the Iranian area as somehow bodies manage to block a handful of Moroccan efforts from a corner. So close to an opener, VAR checks for a handball in the area, but we are given the all clear and play can continue

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:21

20 mins: Wow what a start to this one. Seemingly a total disregard for defence, as now Iran fly forward on the break and almost get a goal of their own! It might not have sounded like a classic on paper, but it's an exciting encounter so far

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:23

24 mins: As a side note watch out for the occasional bizarre throw in from Iran...unsure of how exactly to describe it, but the player almost sits down in the process of throwing the ball.

The game has now settled into a slightly more stable pattern but both sides continue to seemingly bypass midfield as they break forward

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:28

31 mins: Amine Harit and Achraf Hakimi are some of the brightest young talents that you will see in Russia. Just 20, and 19 respectively their combination down the left is proving a nightmare for the Iranians

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:33

33 mins:  As the half continues Iran will grow in confidence. Morocco threw the kitchen sink at the Iranians early on, but gradually play is becoming more even, and the nerves are settling down

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:35

34: Karim El Ahmadi goes into the book for Morocco, and Iran have a free kick midway into the Morocco half

Molly Hudson15 June 2018 16:36

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