Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey became the first player to be sent off at the 2022 World Cup as Rob Page’s men went down 2-0 to Iran in Al Rayyan.
The Asian outfit, who had lost 6-2 to England in their Cup opener, scored both their goals in second half stoppage time after Hennessey’s dismissal for a foul on Mehdi Taremi- eerily similar to the Schumacher-Battiston incident at the 1982 edition forty years ago.
Wales had an early chance through Kieffer Moore, but little of note afterwards as Iran grew into the game. They had a first half goal from Ali Gholizadeh disallowed for offside, and Sardar Azmoun and he also rattled the posts within seconds of each other after the interval.
Hennessey’s 86th minute dismissal proved pivotal. Wales, reduced to ten men, were clinging on for dear life, and Iran broke the deadlock in the 8th minute of injury time from Rouzbeh Cheshmi’s long range effort following a poor Joe Allen clearance.
Another was to come in the 11th minute on the counter, with Ramin Rezaeian making it 2-0 for the Asian side.
Iran will take on the United States in their final group game, while Wales will square off against England.
