Match report

Iraq 2–2 Kuwait: Key Moments in World Cup Qualification Asia

Iraq
Iraq
2–2
FT
Kuwait
Kuwait
Mar 20, 2025

Iraq held off Kuwait for a 2–2 draw in a gripping World Cup Qualification Asia encounter. Kuwait took the lead twice but Iraq managed to equalize both times, with I. Bayesh scoring in injury time to secure the draw. The game was marred by a red card for Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli of Kuwait early on, which didn't prevent the team from scoring twice.

Key Facts

  • • Iraq 2–2 Kuwait
  • • I. Bayesh scored in injury time for Iraq
  • • Y. Naser scored twice for Kuwait
  • • Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli was sent off for Kuwait in the 1st minute
  • • Multiple substitutions were made by both teams throughout the match

Lineups

Iraq

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 A. Basil (G)
  • 3 H. Ali (D)
  • 5 F. Putros (D)
  • 2 R. Sulaka (D)
  • 23 M. Doski (D)
  • 20 O. Rashid (M)
  • 11 Z. Iqbal (M)
  • 14 P. Gwargis (M)
  • 10 Meme
  • 17 A. Jasim
  • 18 A. Hussein (F)

Substitutes

  • 4 M. Younis
  • 6 A. Hashem
  • 7 A. Y. Hashim
  • 8 I. Bayesh
  • 9 M. Al Taay
  • 12 J. Hachim
  • 13 A. Ghasem
  • 15 A. Yahya
  • 16 A. Al Ammari
  • 19 Y. Amyn
  • 21 H. Zubair
  • 22 H. Ali Kadhim

Kuwait

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 K. Al Rashidi
  • 5 F. Al Hajeri (D)
  • 4 K. Ebrahim (D)
  • 15 J. Al Mutar (D)
  • 13 M. Khaled
  • 8 A. Al Dhefiri
  • 6 S. Al Enezi
  • 9 A. Zanki (M)
  • 14 K. Al Mershed
  • 7 M. Daham (M)
  • 20 Y. Naser (F)

Substitutes

  • 2 S. Al Sanea
  • 3 M. Al Dhafiri
  • 10 F. A. Al Otaibi
  • 11 E. Al Rasheedi
  • 12 H. Al Harbi
  • 16 M. Al Fnaini
  • 17 F. Al Mubailish
  • 18 H. Ashkanani
  • 19 M. Al Enezi
  • 21 S. Al Awadi
  • 22 S. Abdulghafoor
  • 23 A. Al Fadhli

Timeline

  1. Kuwait
    ?' Kuwait Card · Yellow Card
    Mohammad Al Nassar

    Time wasting

  2. Kuwait
    ?' Kuwait Card · Red Card
    Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli

    Argument

  3. Kuwait
    39' Kuwait Goal · Normal Goal
    Y. Naser · Assist: M. Daham
  4. Kuwait
    45'+1 Kuwait Card · Yellow Card
    Y. Naser

    Foul

  5. Iraq
    46' Iraq subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Meme · On: I. Bayesh
  6. Kuwait
    60' Kuwait Card · Yellow Card
    Khaled Al Rashidi

    Time wasting

  7. Iraq
    66' Iraq subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Osama Rashid · On: A. Al Ammari
  8. Kuwait
    66' Kuwait subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Zanki · On: M. Al Enezi
  9. Kuwait
    67' Kuwait subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Al Mershed · On: H. Al Harbi
  10. Iraq
    68' Iraq Card · Yellow Card
    M. Doski

    Foul

  11. Kuwait
    70' Kuwait Goal · Normal Goal
    Y. Naser · Assist: A. Al Dhefiri
  12. Kuwait
    73' Kuwait Card · Yellow Card
    Ahmad Aldhefiri

    Argument

  13. Iraq
    73' Iraq subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Hussein Ali · On: A. Y. Hashim
  14. Iraq
    73' Iraq subst · Substitution 4
    Off: P. Gwargis · On: Y. Amyn
  15. Kuwait
    74' Kuwait Card · Yellow Card
    Sultan Al-Enezi

    Foul

  16. Kuwait
    75' Kuwait subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Al Mutar · On: H. Ashkanani
  17. Iraq
    84' Iraq subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Z. Iqbal · On: A. Hashem
  18. Kuwait
    87' Kuwait subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Khaled · On: Moaath Meshal
  19. Kuwait
    87' Kuwait subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Y. Naser · On: S. Al Awadi
  20. Kuwait
    90'+8 Kuwait Card · Yellow Card
    Salman Al Awadhi

    Time wasting

  21. Iraq
    90' Iraq Goal · Normal Goal
    I. Bayesh

Match Stats

Stat Iraq Kuwait
Fouls 9 10
Pass Accuracy 81% 70%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards 0 1
Total Shots 18 4
Corners 12 0
Total Passes 443 290
Yellow Cards 2 6
Blocked Shots 3 0
Shots on Target 7 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 8 2
Possession 62% 38%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 359 203
Shots Inside Box 10 2
Saves 0 5
Shots Outside Box 8 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Iraq's red card to Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli early on shifted momentum to Kuwait, who capitalized with a goal from Y. Naser in the 39th minute.
  • ▸ I. Bayesh's goal in injury time for Iraq was crucial in securing a draw, showcasing Iraq's resilience and determination despite being a man down for most of the game.