Iran scored twice after the eighth minute of stoppage-time yesterday to snatch a stunning 2-0 win over Wales that breathed new life into their FIFA World Cup campaign, and left their opponents flat on their backs and facing a make-or-break decider against England.
After Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off in the 87th minute, Iran produced a remarkable finale, with Roozbeh Cheshmi driving home to give them the lead before Ramin Rezaeian added another in the 11th minute of stoppage-time.
Iran, who had been facing elimination if they lost, were almost unrecognizable from the side who were thrashed 6-2 by England in their opener and they were deserved winners even if they left it very late.
Photo: AP
Carlos Queiroz’s side were twice denied by the woodwork in the second half at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and made the most of the extra man after Hennessey was given his marching orders following a dreadful head-high challenge on Mehdi Taremi.
The win moved Iran to three points in Group B, two more than Wales, who were held to a 1-1 draw by the US in their opener.
England and the US were to play early this morning Taiwan time, while in Group A Qatar and Senegal were to start their match at about press time last night followed by the Netherlands-Ecuador clash.
After a tight first half the match sprang to life after the break, which began with the most extraordinary treble miss as Sardar Azmoun raced through only to strike the post, Ali Gholizadeh curled the follow-up against the other post, and Azmoun headed that rebound straight at Hennessey, who was later given his marching orders.
Hennessey had raced out of his area, but was beaten to the ball by Taremi, with the ’keeper following through and catching him in the face with his knee.
The referee initially produced a red card after a trip to the replay monitor.
The goals then arrived extraordinarily late, with Cheshmi hammering home a thunderbolt of a shot in a gut punch for Wales, before Rezaeian lifted the ball delicately over the new goalkeeper to finish off Rob Page’s side.
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