Half-time report: Iran and Morocco goalless at break

Iran dominated for major parts of the half but failed to make most of the chances in Krestovsky Stadium, Saint-Petersburg.

Iran and Morocco ended the first half goalless after Vahid Amiri, Sardar Azmoun and then Alireza Jahanbakhsh missed good chances to put Iran on the frontfoot. Morocco started the match brightly winning back-to-back corner kicks in the opening five minutes. Former Bayern Munich centreback Mehdi Benatia caused trouble in the 19th minute from a Morocco corner, but the Iranian defence managed to keep the ball out. Iran settled into the game soon after, with Sardar Azmoun winning a free kick in a dangerous area but Alireza Jahanbakksh sent the resulting set piece over the crossbar. The best chance of the game came Iran's way in the 43rd minute, when Jahanbakksh put Azmoun through but Morocco's keeper Monir El Kajoui made a double save to keep the scoreline balanced.