Cairo, Egypt – The Iraqi national team succeeded in qualifying for the World Cup play-offs after a thrilling victory over their counterparts from the UAE national team, by two goals to one, in the match that brought them together today, in the Asian play-offs for the 2026 World Cup.
The Iraqi national team met the UAE at Basra International Stadium in the second leg of the Asian playoff for the 2026 World Cup.
The match started strongly for both teams, with a noticeable advantage for the Whites.
The UAE team almost took an early lead in the match through Luan Pereira, who headed a cross into the penalty area with power, but the Iraqi goalkeeper saved the ball.
UAE player Robin Philip fired a powerful shot from inside the penalty area, but the ball went over the Iraqi goal.
ونجح منتخب الإمارات في التقدم أولا في الدقيقة 52، عن طريق لوكاس كايو، بعدما توغل بالكرة إلى داخل منطقة الجزاء ومن ثم سدد كرة سكنت الشباك.
بينما رد مهند علي بالتعادل للمنتخب العراقي في الدقيقة 66، بعدما حول كرة عرضية داخل منطقة الجزاء، برأسية قوية سكنت شباك الإمارات.
Iraq’s Mohanad Ali wasted a clear one-on-one opportunity in front of the UAE goal, after he broke through with the ball and fired a low shot that was saved by the UAE goalkeeper.
Caio Lucas, the UAE player, scored the second goal in the 84th minute of the match, but the referee disallowed the goal due to offside.
In the dying moments, specifically in the 90+11th minute, the referee awarded a penalty kick to the Iraqi national team. This came after Yahya Nader handled the ball inside the penalty area.
ونفذ أمير العماري ركلة الجزاء لصالح منتخب العراق بنجاح، في الدقيقة 90+17، ليطير بأحلام بلاده إلى الملحق العالمي للمونديال.
