The facts were clear: IR Iran had to win their first match, in order to remain hopeful. With tough fixtures ahead, leaving with a handful of points was key to their dream of escaping a menacing Group B.

There were serious doubts for Team Melli's supporters after a fraught opening, though, as Morocco piled on the pressure and Carlos Queiroz's men were forced to ride their luck. "We resisted, didn't lose our patience and maintained our concentration." Standing firm in the face of Morocco's technical talent was all part of the Portuguese coach's plan.

Weathering that storm so nearly paid off sooner than it eventually did. A rapid break saw them overrun Morocco and force a fine double save from Monir El Kajoui. While Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh did not convert, it was still crucial in Queiroz's eyes. "Once we could create panic in the Moroccan defence, it changed the game."

And it did. The second half was certainly different, with Iran controlling the tempo after struggling to string more than a handful of passes together. The seasoned Quieroz rolled the dice and looked to move onto the front foot, but a pair of injuries created obstacles to those attacking plans.

It took until six minutes was shown on the fourth official's board before the final dramatic twist came into view. It started with a free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time. "There was no option left, other than scoring from that last opportunity." explained Azmoun. With the move ending with the ball skewing off Morocco's unfortunate Aziz Bouhaddouz, Queiroz reflected that sometimes you have to be lucky in football.

But luck often brings joy. To have something so special suddenly land in your lap gives it a certain additional sheen. People are dancing in the streets all over Iran, celebrating the country's second-ever victory in a FIFA World Cup™, two decades on from their first-ever win at a world finals.

However, that same exuberance lasted only as far as the dressing room doors for Team Melli, who celebrated wildly before leaving for their team bus. Before the night was out, they were already on their way back to Moscow, looking on to the next, looming challenge. "The match against Spain is a different game that will need a different strategy," said Queiroz. "We need to plan for that."​