The second round of fixtures at the ongoing World Cup in Qatar commenced earlier today with a two-nil victory for Iran over Wales in a Group B fixture.
The Persian Stars sealed all three points with two added-time goals from substitutes Rouzbeh Cheshmi and right-back Ramin Rezaeian following their opening day embarrassing defeat to England.
Iran thought they had taken the lead in the first half when forward Ali Gholizadeh slotted the ball into an open net following a pass from teammate Sardar Azmoun but VAR chalked the goal off rightfully for offside.
In the second half, the duo of Azmoun and Gholizadeh thought they had finally put their team in front when their efforts struck the post.
For a lackluster Wales, their best chance of the game fell to defender Ben Davies in the 84th minute but his shot was tipped off the bar by goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.
Wales’ goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey became the first man to be sent off in Qatar after receiving a red card for a foul on Mehdi Taremi in the 86th minute.
Finally in the second minute of the added time, Iran’s first goal by Rouzbeh Cheshmi became the first goal scored form outside the box so far in the tournament – the 29-year-old lashed on to a loose clearance from midfielder Joe Allen.
A few seconds later, Rezaeian put the tie to bed with a well-chipped shot over substitute goalkeeper Danny Ward after a well-weighted pass from Mehdi Taremi.
Iran will face the USA in their last group game at the Al Thumama Stadium while Wales will lock horns with the Three Lions on Tuesday at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.
