Iran offensive wipes out Wales

Iran offensive wipes out Wales

The 'red dragons' appeal to a miracle against England and Iran seeks the feat

MADRID, 25 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Iranian team is one step away from the historic feat of reaching the round of 16 of a World Cup after defeating Wales (0-2) on the second day of Group B of the Qatar 2022 event, in a duel in the that the Iranians were much better than some 'red dragons' that are on the brink of elimination.

The Iranian attack was brutal and Wales held on 0-0 until goalkeeper and hero Wayne Hennessey was sent off on 87 minutes. Since then, the Welsh have conceded goals from Roozbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian to be forced to pull off a miracle, while the Persians are closer to reaching a World Cup group stage for the first time.

Hennessey was the one who allowed Wales to continue dreaming of scoring in this match. The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper stopped all of Iran's shots, which were several, unhinging Leverkusen striker Sardar Azmoun and Porto striker Mehdi Taremi. But, at 84', he went wild for a long ball and ran over Taremi, only to be sent off via VAR.

An action that changed everything. Wales, who had the first great chance of the game in the boots of Kieffer Moore -he finished with the outside of his right foot, diving for the ball, a cross from Roberts and forced Hossein Hosseini to react quickly-, missed except for a Gareth Bale who disappeared in his 110th international cap.

Despite having more possession of the ball, especially in the first half, the Welsh were unsuccessful and practically failed to worry Iranian goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini any further. On the other hand, the Persians went further in their offense and did not give up, until they found those two added goals that gave them wings.

The madness was started by Roozbeh Cheshmi with a powerful shot from distance, from outside the area, which was impossible for Danny Ward – the goalkeeper who entered, cold, after the expulsion of Hennessey. It was minute 90 8, and three minutes later Ramin Rezaeian scored with a smooth and precise chip on the unfortunate Welsh goalkeeper.

Earlier, Iran warned on the brink of half-time with a long shot from Ahmad Nourollahi, well saved in two periods by Wayne Hennessey. And, 6 minutes after the restart, Iran had a triple chance with two consecutive sticks and a final save from Hennessey.

Just before the goals that changed the course of this game and the group, Mehdi Taremi had it, again, with a powerful missile that went very close to the post. That said, the Persian offensive was endless and Wales could only resist with their starting goal.

Now, Wales will play it all against England -- unless an adverse result in the other group game changes everything -- and Iran, who will play the United States on the third and final day, could make history after conceding a tough 6-2 in its debut against the English.

--RESULT: WALES, 0 - IRAN, 2 (0-0, at halftime).

GALES: Hennessey; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts (Johnson, min.57), Ramsey (Ward, min.87), Ampadu (Allen, min.77), Wilson (James, min.57), Williams; Bale y Moore.

IRÁN: Hossein Hosseini; Rezaian, Majid Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Mohammadi; Gholizadeh (Jahanbakhsh, min. 77), Nourollahi (Cheshmi, min. 78), Ezatolahi (Karimi, min. 83), Hajsafi (Torabi, min. 77); Azmoun (Ansarifard, min. 68) and Taremi.

0-1. Min.90 8, Roozbeh Cheshmi.

0-2. Min.90 11, Ramin Rezaeian.

--REFEREE: Mario Alberto Escobar (GUA). He admonished Rodon (min.45 3) in Wales and Rezaeian (min.90 5) and Jahanbakhsh (min.90 5) in Iran. He sent off Hennessey (min.86) with a straight red in Wales.

--ESTADIO: Estadio Ahmad bin Ali.