In a dramatic turn of events, Iraq shattered the United Arab Emirates’ World Cup aspirations with a thrilling 2-1 victory in Basra on Tuesday. The match, which saw both teams locked in a tense battle, culminated in a last-gasp penalty by Amir Al-Ammari in the 15th minute of injury time. The decisive moment came after a VAR review, sending Iraq to the intercontinental playoff for a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The UAE, who had drawn the first leg of the fifth-round playoff in Abu Dhabi on November 13, needed a win to keep their dreams alive. Despite a valiant effort, including a stunning goal by Caio Lucas in the 52nd minute, the UAE succumbed to Iraq’s resilience. Mohanad Ali’s equalizer in the 66th minute set the stage for the dramatic finale, leaving the UAE players devastated as their World Cup journey ended in heartbreak. Iraq, with only one previous World Cup appearance in 1986, now has a golden opportunity to join other Gulf nations in the global tournament.
World Cup dreams shattered as Iraq beat UAE 2-1, advance to intercontinental playoff
