Rob Page's decision to drop Leeds United loanee Daniel James backfired as Iran ran out 2-0 winners in Group B. The Whites loanee dropped to the bench for their second game of the tournament, with Kieffer Moore leading the line.
Wayne Hennessey's sending off left Wales in the lurch after a high tackle on Iran striker Mehdi Taremi. Both sides were pushing for a winner, but it was Carlos Queiroz's side that won the tie in the dying embers of the game.
Two injury time goals from Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian gave Iran their first three points of the tournament. The result comes as a huge surprise after England thrashed Iran 6-2 earlier this week, with Wales the favourites heading into the game.
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James came off the bench in the 58th minute to replace Harry Wilson, with Wales still well in the tie, with Hennessey's rash decision in the 86th minute, the turning point. James, who is currently out on loan with Fulham, struggled to make an impact on the game with Iran comfortably the better side.
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