World Cup 2022 – Wales 0 Iran 2 LIVE RESULT: Dragons suffer late heartbreak as Iran net twice after Hennessey RED CARD
IRAN scored two late goals to seal their first points of the 2022 World Cup after Wayne Hennessey was sent off for Wales.
Rob Page's Wales started slowly but Nottingham Forest wing-back Neco Williams saw a shot sail over the bar just minutes in before Iran had the ball in the back of the net through Ali Gholizadeh.
However, the opener was ruled out for offside before Iran continued to apply the pressure in the second-half.
Sardar Azmoun hit the post when one-on-one with Wayne Hennessey before his teammate also smashed the woodwork.
The goalkeeper was then dismissed with five minutes to go, rushing out before bringing down Mehdi Taremi with a high knee.
A long-range strike from Roozbeh Cheshmi put Iran ahead in injury time before Ramin Rezaeian finished past Danny Ward to seal the three points.
- Start time: 10am UK time
- TV: BBC One
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- Wales XI: Hennessey, Roberts, Davies, Mepham, Rodon, Williams, Ramsey, Ampadu, Wilson, Bale, Moore
- Iran XI: Sayed Hosseini, Rezaeian, Pouraliganji, Mohammadi, Majid Hosseini, Hajsafi, Gholizadeh, Ezatolahi, Noorollahi, Azmoun, Taremi
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That was a heart-breaking defeat for Wales.
They were slow out of the blocks at the start of today’s match but, unlike the game against the USA, things never clicked for Rob Page’s team.
It had seemed as though we were heading for a fifth 0-0 draw in this World Cup but the game hinged on Wayne Hennessey’s red card in the 86th minute.
Interestingly, Hennessey’s red card was just the third shown to a goalkeeper in World Cup history.
It seemed inevitable that Iran would score from that point on and so it proved when Roozbeh Cheshmi drilled his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Iran doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Ramin Rezaeian chipped the ball over Danny Ward as the Wales players vacated their defensive positions in search of a late equaliser.
The defeat leaves Wales’ World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
Rob Page’s team will need to beat England next Tuesday and hope that Iran don’t beat the USA if they are to qualify for the knockout rounds.
You could see how much today’s result meant to the Iran players as they celebrated at the full-time whistle.
Carlos Queiroz’s team will qualify for the last 16 with a victory over the US in their final group game.
Until then, all that’s left for me to say is thank you for joining me and I look forward to speaking to you next time!
Carlos Queiroz' reaction
The Iran boss has been giving his thoughts on the match.
It's just the beginning. We need to finish the job but it's a wonderful day for us.
Carlos QueirozGroup B
Iran's victory moves them level on points with England at the top of the group with Gareth Southgate's team set to take on the USA later on today.
Wales are bottom of group B and will need to beat England on Tuesday if they are to qualify for the last 16.
Bale quotes
Gareth Bale has been speaking to the media after his side's defeat.
It's gutting. We fought until the last second. It's difficult to take but we'll have to recover and try to go again.
Gareth BaleMatch stats
Wales may have dominated possession but Iran's 21 shots indicates their supremacy over the 90 minutes.
Iran deserved winnners
Carlos Quieroz' team had to wait for it but they were eventually rewarded for their supremacy in this game.
Wayne Hennessey's red card was the turning point but Iran did well to exploit their numerical advantage.
Full Time: Wales 0 - 2 Iran
It's all over at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and Iran have won it!
Two late goals have decided the game in their favour.
Stay with us for the post-match reaction.
GOAL! Wales 0 - 2 Iran
90+11, Rezaeian puts the result beyond doubt!
He chips the ball over Ward to round off an Iran counterattack.
GOAL! Wales 0 - 1 Iran
90+8, They've done it!
Cheshmi hammers the ball past Danny Ward and into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
It's a good goal but the chance came about from a poor clearance from Joe Allen.
Heartbreak for Wales.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
90+7, Wales look absolutely knackered.
Just two more minutes for them to hold on.
A draw is not the result that they wanted heading into the game but it would be a positive outcome in the circumstances.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
90+5, Jahanbakhsh also picks up a yellow card for a high boot.
He will miss Iran's final group game against the USA.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
94, Rezeian is shown a yellow card for something that he said to the referee.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
90+4, Iran are doing all they can to work one last shooting opportunity.
Wales are keeping them at bay for now.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
90+2, Wales hoof the ball forward and it falls for Moore inside the Iran penalty area but his first touch is poor and the chance slips away.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
90+1, Kieffer Moore wins a free-kick on the halfway line to relieve the pressure on his team.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
90, We're going to have 9 minutes added on here.
Can Wales hold on?
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
88, Iran almost make the breakthrough straight away but Torabi's shot flies narrowly wide!
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
86, Hennessey sees red!
The referee takes one look at the incident on the pitch side moniter and upgrades the yellow card to a red.
Aaron Ramsey comes off as Rob Page sends on Danny Ward to take Hennessey' s place in goal.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
85, Controversial scenes here.
Hennessey comes off his line to try and beat Taremi to the ball midway into the Wales half
Hennessey clatters into the Iran forward instead of winning the ball but is only shown a yellow card by the referee.
That looked like it warranted a red card and VAR is taking a look...
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
84, Ben Davies is denied by Hosseini!
The Spurs defender runs onto Kieffer Moore's lay off but sees his effort saved by the goalkeeper.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
82, Ezatolahi isn't able to continue and Carlos Quieroz replaces him with Ghoddos.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
81, Ezatolahi looks to be suffering from cramp and is having his calves stretched.
Rob Page has taken the opportunity of the break in play to sprint back down to the changing rooms.
You can forgive the Wolves boss for feeling the nerves...
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
80, We're into the last 10 minutes of normal time here.
Can one of these sides find a late winner?
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
77, Joe Allen is coming on to make his play his first minutes of competitive football since September.
Ampadu's number is up and he's coming off.
Wales need Allen to hit the ground running here.
Wales 0 - 0 Iran
77, More changes for Iran.
Torabi, Jahanbakhsh and Cheshmi are coming on.
Hajisafi, Noorolahi and Gholizadeh are the players to make way.