Wales 0-2 Iran: Heartbreak For 10-Man Wales Against Iran

Wales’ hopes of making it to the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time in 64 years were severely damaged when Robert Page’s team was defeated 2-0 by Iran’s late-game performance.
Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was dismissed four minutes from time for a reckless foul as the Dragons attempted to build on their 1-1 draw with the USA in their previous match. The Dragons failed to take the upper hand against a significantly improved Iran team.
It turned out to be crucial since Ramin Rezaeian and replacement Rouzbeh Cheshmi scored goals in stoppage time to secure the victory.

Wales’ greatest opportunity came in minute 12 when Kieffer Moore could only volley directly at Hossein Hosseini.
Five minutes later, Iran believed they had the lead, but VAR disallowed Ali Gholizadeh’s goal.
Following the break, Carlos Queiroz’s team continued to appear more likely, as Sardar Azmoun and Gholizadeh both struck the woodwork in quick succession as the Wales goal enjoyed a lucky escape.
Before Hennessey saw a yellow card rightfully raised to a red following VAR intervention, he was obliged to display heroism. Mehdi Taremi attempted to get free, but the Wales goalkeeper collided with him outside the area designated for goals.

Wales was unable to hold on, and they must overcome England in their final game on Tuesday in order to have any hope of qualifying. In their crucial conclusion, Iran plays against the United States.

 

Talking Point – Heartbreak For Wales

The team led by Queiroz was superior throughout the game and, with a little bit more luck, would have taken the lead much earlier.
Gareth Bale, who became his country’s most capped player that day, and Aaron Ramsey failed to have any impact on the game, despite being big-name but aging stars for Wales.
Wales’ song, “Yma o hyd, Yma o hyd,” means “still here,” yet in order to advance from Group B and stay in Qatar into the middle of next week, they will need to accomplish something truly exceptional.

Player Of The Match – Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)

The defender capped a powerhouse display with a magnificently taken second goal to rubber-stamp an excellent day for his country.

Match Highlights

12’ – WALES CHANCE! Moore has to score.

45+3’ – IRAN CHANCE! Azmoun can’t quite apply the finish on the stretch after getting in front of his marker to attack a wonderfully whipped cross from the right.

52’ – IRAN CHANCE! How is it still level? Azmoun races free but sees his shot come back off the near post. Iran keeps the pressure on and Gholizadeh hits the opposite post with a superb curling effort before Azmoun puts the rebound straight at Hennessey.

74’ – IRAN CHANCE! Hennessey flings himself to his right to get a vital palm on Ezatolahi’s low 20-yard strike.

84’ – WALES CHANCE! Wales works it well inside the Iran box and lay it back for Davies, who stings the keeper’s fingertips with a thumping 20-yard drive.

87’ – WALES RED CARD. Hennessey sees a yellow card changed to red after VAR intervened and the referee looked at the monitor. It was the right decision. Taremi beat Hennessey to the ball way outside his area and the keeper clattered into him.

90+8’ – GOAL! Wales 0-1 Iran(Cheshmi): Rouzbeh Cheshmi rifles a 22-yard strike into the bottom corner following a poor clearance.

90+100’ – GOAL! Wales 0-2 Iran(Ramin): It’s all over. Iran catches the Dragons on the break and Ramin clips a lovely finish over Ward.

Player Ratings

WALES: Hennessey 5, Mepham 6, Rodon 6, B Davies 7; Roberts 6, Ampadu 6, Wilson 6, Ramsey 5, N Williams 6; Bale 5, Moore 5. Subs: James 5, Johnson 6, Allen 5, Ward n/a.

IRAN: Hosseini 7, Hajsafi 7, Mohammadi 7, Ezatolahi 7, Pouraliganji 7, Hosseini 7, Azmoun 7, Nourollahi 7, Rezaeian 8, Taremi 8, Gholizadeh 8. Subs: Ansarifard 6, Torabi 7, Jahanbakhsh 6, Cheshmi 7, Karimi n/a.

Key Stats

• Hennessey is only the third goalkeeper ever to receive a red card at the World Cup, after Itumeleng Khune for South Africa v Uruguay in 2010 and Gianluca Pagliuca for Italy v Norway in 1994.
• Cheshmi’s goal (97:56) against Wales was the latest match-winning strike scored in any World Cup game (excl. extra-time) since exact goal times are available for the competition (from 1966).