Chris Sutton
Ex-Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Iran have to be a little bit braver in terms of going forward. They will have a game plan but if they want to qualify they have to win the game.

They have to grab the bull by the horns and show more initiative.

Image source, EPA

Right on cue, Jahanbakhsh finds his touch, with a delicious curling cross-field pass.

But Iran's attack loses all momentum as they go backwards and Morocco come forward.

Morocco's star man Hakim Ziyech - who has also been a bit peripheral so far - handles it though and Iran can clear.

I feel like I've put a curse on Alireza Jahanbakhsh by calling him Iran's star man.

He now belts an attempted deep cross straight out for a goal-kick. Miserable day for him so far.

He was brilliant for AZ in the Eredivisie this past season, finishing as the top scorer, with 21 goals.

Sardar Azmoun gets the ball on the halfway line, turns into space and moves forward.

But the final pass is wasteful and Morocco smother it and clear.

Chris Sutton
Ex-Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Half-time came at a good time for Morocco. It gave them the chance to regroup for the second period and ensure they are more patient in the final third.

Nordin Amrabat continues to basically just ignore the fact he's meant to be the right-back, getting level with the Iran area again and swinging the ball over.

But Amine Harit makes a hash of his volley and scoops it high and wide.

Mike: Early shout for 'Golden Barnet' for Ramin Rezaeian? Looks like a Spartan. Can't wait to see France though. Giroud AND Pogba...

Image source, EPA

Iran's star man Alireza Jahanbakhsh has cut a frustrated figure so far and this won't improve his mood.

He steps on a Moroccan foot and enters the book.

Moments later, Ramin Rezaeian fells a Morocco player with a bit of a lunge but is given a final warning instead of a card.

No changes for either side at the break.

And no change in how Morocco will approach this, with nominal right-back Nordin Amrabat streaming forward on the overlap.

Oh, the Watford man is in space but belts his cross nowhere near a fellow Morocco shirt.

Missed opportunity.

And Iran restart proceedings.

Here we go!

PossFootball: Iran have been really solid at the back and have looked dangerous on the break. They're executing their gameplan well, it doesn't have to involve possession

The players are making their way back out onto the pitch in St Petersburg.

The second-half will be under way shortly..

From Victoria Uwonkunda, BBC Africa:

Big, big claims from Hijrat Miroute, a Moroccan fan from Casablanca in St Petersburg: “We’ll win today. When we do, we’ll go further in the tournament. Who knows, even to the final."

Loving the confidence. The Lions of the Atlas need to be a bit more ruthless with their finishing though.

Neither Morocco (P5 W0 D3 L2) nor Iran (P7 W0 D2 L5) have won any of their previous World Cup matches in which they have been drawing at half-time.

So Lawro's prediction of a goalless draw is looking good then.

Who's been good? Who's been garbage?

Have your say by using our player rater here.

And don't worry, if that player you just gave a three out of 10 to scores a worldie after the break you can go back and change your mind.

Chris Sutton
Ex-Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Iran got better as the half wore on, but the golden boy Azmoun had to score with that chance when he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Morocco started the game with real intent and they pushed Iran back, but they didn't create too many clear-cut chances.

The longer the half went on they started to fade a little bit and rush things.

Morocco came out at a blistering pace, immediately putting Iran on the back foot but struggled to trouble Alireza Beiranvand often enough.

The Iran keeper made one fine save to deny Medhi Benatia after a corner fell to the Juventus centre-back.

Iran then grew into the game and had the best chance of the half just before the break - Sardar Azmoun missing a big chance by firing it at Munir Mohamedi, who completed a fine double save by flicking the follow up over the bar.

An entertaining game. Needs a goal, mind.

Lee: Credit to Iran, they have come back strong and had some good chances towards the end of the half.

Morocco try to come forward one last time but play is broken up and Cuneyt Cakir blows the whistle for half-time.

You couldn't tell if Herve Renard realises that from just looking at him, Johnny.

The Morocco boss stands stoically on the sidelines in his trademark white shirt as the interval approaches.