Last-Gasp Penalty Seals Historic Victory for Iraq
In one of the most extraordinary conclusions to a World Cup qualifier, Iraq scored deep into stoppage time to claim a dramatic 3-2 aggregate play-off victory against the United Arab Emirates. The crucial goal came from Amir Al-Ammari's 107th-minute penalty, sending the packed Basra International Stadium into raptures and keeping the nation's World Cup aspirations firmly alive.
The Rollercoaster Encounter
The match, played on Tuesday 18 November 2025, appeared to be slipping away from the Iraqi side when Caio Lucas broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute. The Brazil-born forward capitalised on Yahia Nader's midfield drive and precise pass, taking a touch before slotting the ball past celebrating goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, who was marking his 100th appearance for Iraq.
The Emiratis came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage just two minutes later, with Nicolas Gimenez's volley crashing against the crossbar with Hassan completely beaten. For much of the contest, Iraq struggled to gain control, looking second-best against their determined opponents.
The Remarkable Comeback
The momentum shifted decisively in the 66th minute when substitute Mohanad Ali rose to meet Al-Ammari's free kick from the left flank. Ali's powerful header took a crucial deflection off Yahia Nader, wrong-footing goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and finding the back of the net to level the score.
Ali became the central figure again in the dying moments of the extended stoppage time. The striker connected with another header that Nader blatantly swatted away with his arm, prompting referee Yusuke Araki to consult the pitchside monitor before awarding the decisive penalty.
Al-Ammari displayed immense composure, thumping the spot-kick high into the goal as Eisa dived in the wrong direction, sparking wild celebrations throughout the stadium and across the nation.
What This Means for Iraq's World Cup Dream
This victory propels Iraq into the intercontinental qualifiers scheduled for March, where they will join five other nations competing for two coveted spots at the World Cup finals. The triumph represents a significant milestone for Iraqi football as the country attempts to qualify for the global tournament for the first time since their debut appearance in 1986.
The dramatic nature of this victory, achieved under the management of Graham Arnold, will be remembered as one of the most thrilling moments in Asian football history and provides a massive boost to Iraq's ambitions of reaching world football's grandest stage.
