Match report

Iran Stuns Wales with 2-0 Victory at World Cup

Wales
Wales
0–2
FT
Iran
Iran
Nov 25, 2022

In a shocking turn of events, Iran stunned Wales with a decisive 2-0 victory in their opening World Cup Group B clash. Despite early setbacks including a VAR-ruled goal cancellation and a red card for Wales goalkeeper W. Hennessey, Iran capitalized on the numerical advantage to secure an important win.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Wales 0–2 Iran
  • • A. Gholizadeh's goal was canceled by VAR at minute 16 for Iran
  • • W. Hennessey received a red card in the 85th minute, reducing Wales to ten men
  • • R. Rezaeian scored the winning goal with an assist from M. Taremi in the 90+11th minute

Lineups

Wales

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 1 W. Hennessey (G)
  • 5 C. Mepham (D)
  • 6 J. Rodon (D)
  • 4 B. Davies (D)
  • 14 C. Roberts (M)
  • 10 A. Ramsey (M)
  • 15 E. Ampadu (M)
  • 8 H. Wilson (M)
  • 3 N. Williams (M)
  • 11 G. Bale (F)
  • 13 K. Moore (F)

Substitutes

  • 9 B. Johnson
  • 20 D. James
  • 7 J. Allen
  • 12 D. Ward
  • 26 M. Smith
  • 18 J. Williams
  • 23 D. Levitt
  • 25 R. Colwill
  • 19 M. Harris
  • 24 B. Cabango
  • 17 T. Lockyer
  • 2 C. Gunter
  • 21 A. Davies
  • 22 S. Thomas
  • 16 J. Morrell

Iran

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Starting XI

  • 24 H. Hosseini (G)
  • 23 R. Rezaeian (D)
  • 19 M. Hosseini (D)
  • 8 M. Pouraliganji (D)
  • 5 M. Mohammadi (D)
  • 17 A. Gholizadeh (M)
  • 6 S. Ezatolahi (M)
  • 21 A. Noorollahi (M)
  • 3 E. Hajisafi (M)
  • 9 M. Taremi (F)
  • 20 S. Azmoun (F)

Substitutes

  • 10 K. Ansarifard
  • 7 A. Jahanbakhsh
  • 16 M. Torabi
  • 15 R. Cheshmi
  • 18 A. Karimi
  • 2 S. Moharrami
  • 4 S. Khalilzadeh
  • 14 S. Ghoddos
  • 11 V. Amiri
  • 13 H. Kanani
  • 12 P. Niazmand
  • 22 A. Abedzadeh
  • 25 A. Jalali

Timeline

  1. Iran
    16' Iran Var · Goal cancelled
    A. Gholizadeh
  2. Wales
    45'+3 Wales Card · Yellow Card
    J. Rodon

    Foul

  3. Wales
    57' Wales subst · Substitution 1
    Off: C. Roberts · On: B. Johnson
  4. Wales
    58' Wales subst · Substitution 2
    Off: H. Wilson · On: Daniel James
  5. Iran
    68' Iran subst · Substitution 1
    Off: S. Azmoun · On: Karim Ansarifard
  6. Iran
    77' Iran subst · Substitution 3
    Off: E. Hajsafi · On: M. Torabi
  7. Iran
    77' Iran subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Gholizadeh · On: Alireza Jahanbakhsh
  8. Iran
    78' Iran subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Noorollahi · On: R. Cheshmi
  9. Iran
    83' Iran subst · Substitution 5
    Off: S. Ezatolahi · On: A. Karimi
  10. Wales
    85' Wales Var · Card upgrade
    W. Hennessey
  11. Wales
    86' Wales Card · Red Card
    W. Hennessey

    Professional foul last man

  12. Wales
    87' Wales subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Ramsey · On: D. Ward
  13. Iran
    90'+4 Iran Card · Yellow Card
    R. Rezaeian

    Argument

  14. Iran
    90'+11 Iran Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Rezaeian · Assist: M. Taremi

Match Stats

Stat Wales Iran
Fouls 9 10
Pass Accuracy 78% 66%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 10 21
Corners 2 7
Total Passes 501 298
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 2 9
Shots on Target 3 6
Shots off Target 5 6
Possession 62% 38%
Accurate Passes 390 197
Shots Inside Box 6 7
Saves 4 3
Shots Outside Box 4 14

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Iran's cancellation of a goal by VAR at 16 minutes shifted momentum early on but did not deter their performance.
  • ▸ Wales' red card for W. Hennessey in the 85th minute changed the game dynamics, allowing Iran to dominate possession and eventually score the winning goal.