Iran could not have recorded just its second World Cup win in more dramatic circumstances when it downed Morocco on Friday.
Carlos Queiroz's men were on the back foot for much of the Group B clash and looked to have held on for a goalless draw when Aziz Bouhaddouz put through his own net in the 95th minute.
And the nature of that strike meant that Iran made rather bizarre history in Saint Petersburg. For the first time since the 1966 tournament, a team scored a World Cup goal without having a single shot in that half of football.
Pretty it was not, but Iran would certainly take two more triumphs in that manner - and it has not been the only side to profit from a late strike.
With Russia scoring two of its five goals against Saudi Arabia in the dying embers of that clash, and Uruguay winning late against Egypt, four of the seven goals across the first three matches have been netted after the 88th minute.
Plenty more drama will undoubtedly be in store before July's final.
Comments
SHARE