Two late goals from the Asian giants seal the shock win
Iran bounced back from the 2-6 defeat against England by winning 2-0 against Wales. Goals from Cheshmi and Rezaeian in stoppage time ensured that Team Melli finished with three points in the bag.
Hossein Hosseini, the Iranian keeper, made a save from point blank range when he stopped Kiefer Moore's shot in the 12th minute. Striker Sardar Azmoun came close to putting the Asian team ahead in the stoppage time of 1st half as he could not meet the cross delivered by Ahmad Noorollahi.
Early in the second half, Iran were extremely unlucky to not go ahead as they hit the woodwork not once, but twice in quick succession. First, it was Azmoun and then it was followed by Ali Gholizadeh. The turning point of the match occured in the 86th minute as the Welsh goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessey, was sent off after a dangerous tackle on Mehdi Taremi. This would prove costly to Wales as they conceded a goal in the 90+8th minute to substitute Cheshmi who unleashed the shot from outside the box and beat the keeper for pace. Desperate to find an equalizer, the Welsh were punished for it as Team Melli added a second before the full time whistle, with Razaeian chipping it over Danny Ward, the substitute keeper for Wales.
This win now means Iran are placed second in the group, only one point behind England, who drew 0-0 with USA. With fate in their own hands, Team Melli will be looking to make it through to the knockout stages when they face USA in their final group game. Meanwhile, barring a miracle, Wales' odds of reaching the knockout stages are stacked against them. They face England in their last group match.