Wales’ World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after goals in the 98th and 100th minute from Iran condemned them to a 2-0 defeat. Wayne Hennessey was sent off in the closing stages after an absolutely awful challenge, while Iran hit the post twice as they peppered the Welsh goal.
It looked as if Rob Page’s men had done enough to earn a point, but in the last moments, the ball fell to Rouzbeh Chesmi, who fired home from the edge of the box. It was the latest ever World Cup winning goal and a moment of huge elation for Iran, and they would add a second on the break through Ramin Rezaeian. He raced through and scooped the ball over Danny Ward to send his nation wild.
It leaves Wales needing to beat England in the final group match to have any chance of progression, while Iran’s hopes of qualification are re-ignited. They now move onto three points, while Wales sit bottom of the group, with the Three Lions to play on Tuesday night.
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Despite being 0-0 for the majority of the game, it was an absolute thriller as both teams went all out for the win in the second half. Gareth Bale was anonymous on his record-breaking appearance, and Wales failed to make an impact. They were second best throughout and can have no complaints about that defeat.
It marks Iran’s first win over a European nation in a World Cup, and it was done on the backdrop of such political turmoil. This time Iran sang the national anthem to a chorus of jeers, while there were fans that were visibly distraught watching on in the crowd. This is a turbulent time for the country and these players are under all sorts of pressures at this tournament.
Wales did have chances of their own. Kieffer Moore should have scored ten minutes in when Conor Roberts whipped in a lovely cross to him on the six yard line. He got his studs to the ball but could only divert it into Hossein Hosseini, who was in goal again as Alireza Beiranvand was still missing after his concussion.
Iran had the ball in the net though after a wonderful passing move following Roberts’ stray pass. They played a quick one-two but the final pass saw Ali Gholizadeh stray offside and Wales escaped. Kieffer Moore was certainly getting more involved after his impressive second half display vs USA but chances were free and far between. Sardar Azmoun almost added a finishing touch to a wonderful cross but couldn’t quite get there and the two teams went in level.
Somehow in the second half, Iran missed three major chances in the space of a few seconds. First Azmoun was played in down the right channel but he saw his effort cannon off the right post under pressure, before the ball bounced out to Gholizadeh who whipped the ball with his left onto the other upright. Somehow, Wayne Hennesey got up to deny the follow up header and Wales held on by the skin of their teeth.
Ezatohali drove one towards goal only to be denied by a fantastic save from Wayne Hennesey, but it was one way traffic towards the Welsh goal. Gareth Bale may have broken the World Cup record but his side were on the brink.
Daniel James made an impact from the bench and shooting towards the red wall, Wales came back into it. Ben Davies blazed one over. Then Wales made a crucial error. The ball was played through to Taremi and Hennessey raced out of his goal to intercept it but instead booted the striker in the face with his boot in the air.
It was a horrendous tackle that was a certain red card, but the referee needed to consult VAR before he upgraded the yellow to a red. It was the first red card of the tournament, Wales were down to ten men and had their backs against the wall as Taremi fired one just wide.
But they couldn’t hold on. Chesmi came off the bench to fizz one into the bottom corner before Rezaeian added the icing on top of the cake to send the Iranian fans into ecstasy. This wasn’t the afternoon Wales wanted, but it was what they deserved.
