Qatar World Cup 2022 | Thunderclap: Wales beat Iran (0-2)

Rouzbeh Çeşme (90+8) and Ramin Rezaian (90+11) finished with success that built at the end of the game. Dragons took control of the game for the first time, collapsing under sharp transition clicker attacks. One of them precipitated the expulsion of Wayne Hennessy, who was accused of a dangerous exit on Mehdi Taremi (87). Thanks to this victory, the Iranians are back in second place in Group B, two units ahead of the Welsh, who see the gates of the 80th gradually closing in front of them.

For a long time, it looked like we were heading for another 0-0. What will be the fifth already of the 2022 World Cup. The first half was energetic but riddled with technical failures in the last 30 meters on both sides, plentiful in this direction. However, some occasions have spurred a contested and balanced first act. If Hossein Hosseini was the first to be called to recover from close range from Kiefer Mor (12th), then Ali Gholizadeh saw his goal canceled out for a forward by passer Sardar Azmoun (15th). Mobile but clumsy and pestered by a Welsh back-keeper, the Bayer Leverkusen striker had another chance to open the scoring in the first half, after extra time on a spoon serve from Saeed Ezzatullah (45+2).

Hennessy was sent off, the turning point in the match

In keeping with their production before the break, Carlos Queiroz’s men insisted on a quick turnaround record. It almost paid off with a huge highlight in favor of Team Millie. Azmoun found the post for the first time after a solitary strike (51), before Golizadeh saw his curling shot die on the post (52). Two posts that sound like a stinging warning to a Wales defence, often running out of steam. He wasn’t necessarily better in attack, as Gareth Bale was quite discreet despite his attempt on goal (67′).

Little by little, chances followed one another on the Iranian side, as this strike from Saeed Ezzatullah was deflected into the extreme (73) by a flawless Wayne Hennessy until the end of the match. Guilty of a completely botched early exit, off the roof, on Mehdi Tarimi, the Dragon’s gatekeeper was sent off after a VAR review (87). A twist of fate that will bolster a wait-and-see approach to Wales, determined to maintain a draw, but also galvanize the eager Persians.

The first suspense in the finale is the position of Al-Mahdi Al-Turabi (89), and despite the hastening of the decision-making by the Iranians, salvation came at the end of extra time. While inheriting the skin after a poor dismissal from Joe Allen, Rosbeh Çeşme fired a dry shot that curled into the side-netting of Danny Ward, who played to replace Hennessey (90 + 8, 0-1). Three minutes later, it was Ramin Rezaian who went with a hidden scoop to cheat Ward and deliver a huge hit for Iran.

This victory allows him to move to second place in Group B, pending the outcome of the match between England and the United States this evening (8 pm). The United States, which he will face next Tuesday (8 p.m.) in what may appear to be a final for qualification.