After 90-plus minutes of goalless action, Iran just needed one moment of glory to get its World Cup back on track in a dramatic 2–0 victory over Wales.
With Wales down to 10 men after goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey’s red card, Rouzbeh Cheshmi stunned the Welsh with his 98th-minute goal to break a scoreless deadlock as the controversy-consumed Team Melli reveled in celebration. Three minutes later, Ramin Rezaeian added a second goal to seal Iran’s first win against a European team at the World Cup in 10 tries.
After coming back to draw the U.S. men’s national team, Wales was outdone by an Iranian side that was humbled by England in a 6–2 defeat to open Group B play at the 2022 World Cup. The result appears to play into the hands of the United States, who will face England later on Friday before closing out the group stage against Iran.
Wales came out of the gates with more energy than in its first game against the U.S., building up play and finding a chance in the third minute when Neco Williams sent his curling shot over the crossbar.
But Iran didn’t look discouraged, pushing forward with a series of chances that included a low shot on target from forward Sardar Azmoun. Minutes later, Wales had its best chance in the run of play in the tournament when Connor Roberts sent a cross into the middle of the area for Kieffer Moore, whose point-blank effort went straight at the keeper.
Iran nearly had the lead during a brilliant counterattack in the 16th minute as Azmoun, rather than taking the shot himself with just the keeper to beat, fed Ali Gholizadeh off to his left for the easy goal. But after a subdued celebration, Gholizadeh was ruled offside by a brief VAR review.
As both sides struggled with the heat throughout much of the first half, Wales challenged in the 42nd as Harry Wilson’s chance was deflected over the crossbar. However, the ensuing corner was claimed by Iran goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.
In the 52nd minute, Iran hit the post twice in quick succession. First, Azmoun struck the post off a counterattack before the ball eventually fell to Gholizadeh, who sent in a beautiful curling effort that ricocheted off the opposite post.
Iran continued to apply pressure and nearly came close to taking the lead once again. In the 73rd minute, Saeed Ezatolahi sent a low shot that seemed destined for the back of the net before Hennessey stretched out to make the save and keep things level.
The tournament’s first red card added to the drama when Hennessey was sent off in the 86th minute after a reckless challenge on a breakaway chance for Iran.
When the proceedings seemed destined for a scoreless draw, Cheshmi secured his place in Iranian soccer history with a 98th-minute goal from distance against 10-man Wales.
In the 11th minute of stoppage time, Iran added a second goal thanks to Rezaeian’s chip on Danny Ward to seal the victory.
Wales will need a win against regional rival England in the final group stage game to have a chance at advancing while Iran will need a result from the group finale against the U.S.
Here were the lineups for both teams:
Full World Cup Squads
Wales
GOALKEEPERS: Adam Davies (Sheffield United), Wayne Hennssey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City)
DEFENDERS: Ethan Ampadu (Spezia), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Ben Davies (Tottenham), Chris Gunter (Wimbledon), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Joe Rodon (Rennes), Nico Williams (Nottingham Forest)
MIDFIELDERS: Joe Allen (Swansea City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Matthew Smith (Milton Keynes Dons), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Harry Wilson (Fulham)
FORWARDS: Gareth Bale (LAFC), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Daniel James (Fulham), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth)
Iran
GOALKEEPERS: Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina), Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan)
DEFENDERS: Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens), Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Abolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Al-Ahli), Shojae Khalilzadeh (Al-Ahli), Milad Mohammadi (AEK Athens), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Morteza Pouraliganji (Persepolis), Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan)
MIDFIELDERS: Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Saeid Ezatolahi (Vejle), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford), Ali Gholizadeh (Charleroi), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Ali Karimi (Kayserispor), Ahmad Nourollahi (Shabab Al-Ahli), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis)
