Iran scored two goals deep into stoppage time to dramatically defeat Wales after goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent-off.
Hennessey was shown a red card – the first dismissal of the tournament – with several minutes remaining for Rob Page’s side after Iran had spurned multiple opportunities to break the deadlock throughout a game in which they were superior. Ali Gholizadeh’s disallowed first half goal was a big let-off for Wales, before Iran hit the post twice within the space of ten seconds after the break.
Roozebh Cheshmi struck with a fine strike from outside the box in the final minute of nine added on at the end of the match before Ramin Rezaeian grabbed a second to secure a dramatic, but deserved, Iran victory. Mirror Football analyses the five main talking points from a tense and emotional encounter.
Iran anthem protests
Whatever Iran do at this World Cup, it will pale into insignificance with the backdrop of the domestic situation in their nation. Amid widespread unrest and protests against the nation’s regime, Iran’s footballers are under immense pressure.
After collectively not singing their national anthem ahead of their game with England, their players did sing against Wales – but several appeared less than comfortable doing so. As with the game against England, the anthem was met by a cacophony of booing and jeering from the fans in the stands – with several Iranians visibly emotional ahead of this game.
On Thursday, former Iran international Voria Ghafouri – capped 28 times – was arrested on the grounds of having “tarnished the reputation of the national team and spread propaganda against the state." Iran players are under immense pressure at this tournament and that emotional toll is unavoidable.
Iran changes pay off
Carlos Queiroz made five changes to the side that were humbled 6-2 by England in Monday’s opening clash, with the return of star striker Sardar Azmoun most notable.
Those changes were complemented by a formation change, with Queiroz ditching his ultra-conservative 5-4-1 setup for a 4-4-2 approach as Azmoun partnered Mehdi Taremi in attack.
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That made Iran more dynamic and gave them a genuine goal threat while maintaining a defensive solidity. Their directness cut through Wales midfield frequently during the game, including for Ali Gholizadeh’s disallowed first half goal.
Wales enjoy the fine margins
With just one place separating these two teams in FIFA’s World Rankings, this clash was always going to be close with little to separate the pair – and so it proved for much of the contest. In an enjoyable and evenly-matched affair, it was Wales who had the majority of possession but their opponents had the better opportunities.
Gholizadeh had the ball in the net in the first half and while VAR correctly overruled it, the incident was a massive let-off for slack Wales defending. Then six minutes into the second half, Iran incredibly hit the post twice inside ten seconds: Azmoun rattling the post before Gholizadeh curled another effort against the bar.
Wales veteran stars struggle
Gareth Bale, as always, grabbed the headlines for Wales in their opening day draw against the USA as he won and converted the penalty which earned Rob Page’s side a valuable point. However, the former Real Madrid star failed to assert his authority on the game during much of open play.
The same was largely true against Iran, where Wales struggled to get Bales on the ball as their midfield was overrun. It was another tough day for Aaron Ramsey, who was – just as against the US – overrun in midfield as Wales struggled to strike a balance between defence and attack. Bale and Ramsey have been the nation’s talismen for a decade, but there may now be a changing of the guard.
Hennessey hero and villain
Wales conceded with the only shot the USA head on target in their opening clash but this time around goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was much busier – and came up trumps for his nation for most of the clash.
Iran had four shots on target during the clash of which Hennessey repelled all, most impressively stopping Ezatolahi's low drive in the second half which looked for all money in the world to be heading for the bottom corner.
However, Hennessey’s late red card – a bad misjudgement and unquestionably a correct decision from VAR – was the moment that will be remembered for the game, as it left Wales hanging on in the closing stages and eventually conceding twice late on.
