Aziz Bouhaddouz may not sleep on Friday – and if he does, he’ll be having nightmares.
The Morocco forward, brought on as a substitute as his side looked to get just their third World Cup win ever, found the back of the net – for Iran. In injury time, with the scores locked at 0-0.
It was a heartbreaking end to the game for both player and team. Morocco had been dominant, and although the game had been end-to-end, they looked much likelier to get a winning goal than Iran had.
Bouhaddouz, who plies his trade for FC St Pauli in the second tier of German football, was part of their push to find that goal, only to put the ball past his own keeper.
The 30-year-old was understandably distraught. In a group that also includes Portugal and Spain, this was a must-win game for either Iran or Morocco to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages, and Morocco will feel like this one was there for the taking.
To be denied a win so cruelly could derail their campaign entirely. Even a point will come as a bonus against either Portugal or Spain, and it’s much likelier that Morocco will exit the tournament with three losses.
Bouhaddouz’s own goal is unfortunately set to be the defining moment of their World Cup.
