Wales players have been left embarrassed after their 2-0 defeat to Iran today at the World Cup. The defeat is catastrophic for Wales's chances are getting out of Group A and looks all the worse because of how focused Wales seemed on their next group game.
Wales play England in their final group game on the 29th of November. Before their first World Cup campaign in 64 years, various players spoke about wanting to knock England out of the tournament. Of course, to be in a position to knock their neighbours out, they would have needed to beat Iran and it seems their words have come back to haunt them.
'We Don't Fear England'
After their 1-1 draw in their opener against the USA, Welsh forward Sorba Thomas stated that Wales don't fear England in any sport.
We don't fear England, never have. Whether that football, rugby, whatever, we don't fear England and for us why not we be the ones to knock them out.
🎙️ Wales forward Sorba Thomas: “We don’t fear England, never have. Whether that’s Football, Rugby whatever…we don’t fear England. And for us, why not be the ones to knock them out.”#WAL | #ENG | #FIFAWorldCup
🎥 @footballdaily pic.twitter.com/tNapgtmw8G— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 23, 2022
In an interview with the BBC, Wales towering striker Kieffer Moore stated that he can't wait to knock England out of the World Cup.
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Wales striker Kieffer Moore says he "can't wait" to knock England out of the #FIFAWorldCup in Qatar.#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 20, 2022
Their former players have also been guilty of underestimating Iran. Robbie Savage who played for Wales between 1995 and 2005 and is a pundit on the BBC, said "it's only Iran" after England trashed Iran 6-2 in their opener.
“It’s only Iran” @RobbieSavage8 said the other night. So disrespectful. Iran deserved this by far the better team. Wales have been schooled. Well played Iran 🇮🇷👏👏
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 25, 2022
Historic Result
For Iran, today's 2-0 victory was a historic result amidst unrest in their country. It was their first ever win over a European side in the World Cup in nine attempts.
Before the game, it appeared that Iran were forced to sing their national anthem. Despite the pressure on their shoulders, Iran started the better of the two sides and had a brilliant team goal disallowed for a narrow offside.
Iran celebrate what they think is a brilliant goal, but it's ruled out for offside.
📺Watch live on @rte2 & @rteplayer - https://t.co/lu7hcoQqn8
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/9AY4kg8gqG#FIFAWorldCup #WALIRN pic.twitter.com/83Llpofh5M— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 25, 2022
They continued their dominance over their Welsh opponents in the second half and were left cursing their luck in the 51st minute. A counterattack left Azmoun with a chance but his shot rattled off the right post. The ball was then collected by Hajsafi who ran just outside the box and saw his curling effort ping off the other post.
Goalposts rattled, Wales rattled.
📺Watch live on @rte2 & @rteplayer - https://t.co/lu7hcoQqn8
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/9AY4kg8gqG#FIFAWorldCup #WALIRN pic.twitter.com/fv1F5Q6y7t— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 25, 2022
Wales were then down to 10 after their goalkeeper Hennessy was sent off after a dangerous challenge on Mehdi Taremi. Hennessy initially received a yellow card but VAR intervened to give him the rightly card that his tackle deserved.
Wayne Hennessey eventually saw red for this horrific challenge on Mehdi Taremi.
📺Watch live on @rte2 & @rteplayer - https://t.co/lu7hcoQqn8
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/9AY4kg8gqG#FIFAWorldCup #WALIRN pic.twitter.com/luXKbI4oxJ— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 25, 2022
With their one-man advantage, Iran peppered the Welsh defence with shots but could not get the breakthrough in normal time. However, with FIFA's strict new policy on timewasting there was 9 minutes added on. In the 97th minute, Rouzbeh Chemini gave Iran the lead with a terrific strike outside the box.
Rouzbeh Cheshmi gives Iran a deserved 1-0 lead.
📺Watch live on @rte2 & @rteplayer - https://t.co/lu7hcoQqn8
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/9AY4kg8gqG#FIFAWorldCup #WALIRN pic.twitter.com/fJ9SkrdmJ5— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 25, 2022
Just three minutes later, Iran had their second after a counterattack finished off by Rezaeian to erase all doubt who the match winner will be.
Result: Wales 0-2 Iran - Ramin Rezaeian doubles Iran's advantage against a weary Wales.
📺Watch live on @rte2 & @rteplayer - https://t.co/lu7hcoQqn8
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/9AY4kg8gqG#FIFAWorldCup #WALIRN pic.twitter.com/58PWm5vAw7— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 25, 2022
Irony
The result means that the Wales players's quotes are now ironic. Wales are currently bottom of Group B and it is now England who are in a position to end their participation in the tournament. Iran, meanwhile, have a great chance of proceeding as they just to need to win against the USA in their final group game.
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