Morocco and Iran are in a top-heavy group that also has Portugal and Spain, so this matchup is going to be very crucial for both sides, considering the difficulty of navigating past their group. Read on for a preview of this intriguing matchup between two seemingly evenly-matched underdogs.
Morocco have not been in the World Cup since 1998. That’s 20 years ago, so this squad is definitely not going to take his trip to Russia for granted. Most of Morocco’s players were born outside of the country, but where we should really be focusing is on the team’s talented back line that features Mehdi Benatia of Juventus and Achraf Hakimi of Real Madrid. On the attack, Morocco will be looking most of the time to get the ball to Hakim Ziyech, who’s been named as Dutch Footballer of the Year. Still, it’s Morocco’s defense that will carry this team. Back in the qualifers, the squad did not even surrendered a goal, a testament to the team’s focus on choking the lights out of its opponents’ attacks. Moreover, Morocco have allowed only 11 goals in their last 23 matches. Morocco have gone undefeated in their last six matches.
Betting on Iran (-115)
The Iranians are back in the grandest tournament of the sport following an appearance in Brazil in 2014. Coached by Carlos Queiroz, a long-time assistant of Sir Alex Ferguson, Iran will set in motion a patient brand of football and an opportunistic one in Russia. The heart of the team is goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who stands 6-foot-5 and whose length and agility could be a game-changer for Iran. The team should come in with a little more moxie than the last time they played in the World Cup, especially with how they fared in 2014. Although they didn’t record a win then, they gave Argentina a run for their own money in a close 1-0 loss and drew with Nigeria. Forward Sardar Azmoun will be counted on by the team for scoring after netting 23 goals in 31 international appearances.
