Late, late Rouzbeh Chesmi and Ramin Rezaeian goals secured Iran’s first-ever FIFA World Cup victory against European opposition.
Wales 0-2 IR Iran | Group B
Match review
IR Iran received a dramatic late boost to their Qatar 2022 hopes after goals from Rouzbeh Chesmi and Ramin Rezaeian, in the 98th and 101st minute respectively, secured a historic 2-0 victory over ten-man Wales.
Carlos Queiroz’s side were deserving winners too, having dominated large chunks of the match and created comfortably the better of the chances even before the Welsh lost their goalkeeper to an 86th-minute red card.
Wayne Hennessey was punished following a VAR review for charging from his goal and wiping out Mehdi Taremi as Iran’s star striker charged in on goal.
He had earlier been Wales’ hero, producing a couple of outstanding saves as Iran piled on thee pressure. The woodwork also came to the rescue of Rob Page’s side on more than one occasion.
Any thoughts that the fates were conspiring against the Irans were dispelled eight minutes into stoppage time, however, when Chesmi snatched on a poor Joe Allen clearance to lash a superb low shot beyond substitute goalkeeper Danny Ward from 20 yards.
Rezaeian, outstanding throughout, then raced through a tiring Welsh defence to dink home a delicious second three minutes later to put the seal on a momentous triumph.
Key moment: Chesmi’s late breakthrough
Having attempted all manner of ways to unlock their opponents’ defence, Iran’s crucial opening goal was ultimately created by a Welsh mistake.
But even after Allen cleared a corner directly to Chesmi’s feet, the substitute still had plenty to do. He did with aplomb though, showing admirable composure to take a secure first touch before drilling an inch-perfect shot low and hard into the bottom-right corner.
Key state
At the tenth time of asking, Iran have finally beaten European opposition at the World Cup. Team Melli had drawn two and lost seven of their previous nine meetings with teams from the Old Continent.
Player of the Match
Rouzbeh Chesmi