Iraq 2 UAE 1: UAE's World Cup dream ends as Iraq snatch late penalty to reach playoffs

A massive night begins. The atmosphere is electric and the stakes could not be higher. Iraq and the UAE are under way in this decisive play off clash.

Both sides are feeling their way into the contest with a couple of early fouls breaking up the rhythm.

Iraq tried to play out from the back but Akam and Jalal have an error of miscommunication in their box. Bruno reacted fast and closed down the loose ball, but it rolled wide before he could punish the mistake. He appealed for a penalty as he went down, but the referee waved it away. Moments earlier UAE had already threatened with a header from a right sided cross, so the visitors are starting to find openings.

Iraq are beginning to find some rhythm. A couple of crosses have been delivered from both flanks but UAE have dealt with them so far.

Iraq almost caught UAE out as the corner curled straight toward goal, but Eissa reacted well and pushed it away. It looked like an attempt at an Olympic goal.

UAE forward Bruno brought down Doski with a cynical challenge as the Iraqi defender pushed forward from the back. It stopped the move but earned Bruno the first yellow card of the match.

Kouame Autonne has begun with real authority at the back for the UAE. He did not start the first leg but has stepped in with confidence, rising to clear an early cross with a solid header before reacting sharply to shut down Aymen Hussein after a loose ball broke to the striker inside the area.

With away goals not in play, everything now depends on the second leg. Iraq will back themselves to finish the job in front of their home crowd in Basra, while UAE know they will have to produce their best performance in Iraq to reach the next round of playoffs. If they score is level at 90 mins, the game will go to extra time and penalties if required.

There is still no real rhythm to the contest so far. Both sides are struggling to put together any sustained passages of play. It's understandable considering the occasion.

UAE have registered four attempts to Iraq’s two, although neither keeper has been seriously tested yet. The visitors are starting to build some momentum and the signs are encouraging.

The early noise from the stands has dipped as UAE settle into a steady rhythm. They are starting to threaten from the wings and look more confident with each move forward.

Lucas made a sharp run into the right side of the box but dragged his effort well off target. He looked relieved when the offside flag went up, though the replay showed it was a tight call. He will feel he should have done better with the finish.

A nasty challenge on Ruben Amaral went unpunished. He may have gone for the ball but missed it entirely and caught the man, and we feel that should have been a booking. Ruben Amaral is OK now.

A spell of pressure from the home side at last as we head toward the break. They won a corner that was cleared by the UAE back line but have now earned a free kick in a dangerous position, which was again cleared comfortably by UAE.

Not many clear chances in the first half but the UAE looked the sharper and more confident side, with an early mix up in the Iraqi defence going unpunished and Bruno almost pouncing, while Iraq struggled to find their flow and never really tested Eissa.

The likes of Zidane Iqbal can change the game for Iraq, as he brings real spark. Whether Arnold turns to him at the break is what we now wait to see.

No changes from either side as we head into a huge forty five minutes. Will we see a winner in normal time or are we heading toward extra time and possibly penalties for a place in the inter confederation play off?

Yahya Nader broke free from defence with a brilliant driving run that sliced through the Iraqi back line, slipped the ball to Caio Lucas on the right and Lucas took a touch before finishing with calm precision. A fantastic goal built on pure courage and quality. What a run. What a goal.

Moments after the VAR check cleared the offside protest from the Iraqi players, Nicolas Gimenez unleashed a stunning effort from distance that crashed off the woodwork. The UAE fans are in full voice as their team continues to push.

Iraq respond to going behind with substitutions as they look for fresh energy to turn the momentum and find a way back into the contest. Zidane Iqbal and Mohanad Ali is in for Aimar Sher and Sherko.

Luan Periera has been taken out and Ali Saleh has been introduced

Another effort from the visitors as Bruno Conceicao fires a right footed strike from outside the box. Iraq are finding it hard to build any momentum.

Ali Jasim was brought down as he tried to take on his defender and Zuhair was shown a yellow. From the resulting free kick on the left side, Mohanad Ali was unmarked in the box and powered his header into the net to bring Iraq level in Basra. Game on.

UAE are trying to respond straight away. A cross was turned behind for a corner, and from the delivery they won the first header but the second header went straight into the keeper’s hands.

Another shaky moment at the back for Iraq but the UAE could not make it count. Caio Lucas' cut back from the left side of the box failed to find a teammate and the chance slipped away. That was a great opportunity for UAE

Mustafa Sadoon in for Hussein Ali. Graham Arnold looking for fresh legs here.

Iraq have a real opening here after Gimenez brought down his man with a full stretch challenge about twenty five yards from goal. This is a good chance for the home side to test Eissa. It hits the wall. Danger away.

Inches offside

A glorious opening fell to Iraq when a loose touch from Mohanad Ali allowed Eissa to close the angle and make a vital save for the UAE in a 1v1. Seconds later the visitors swept forward on a rapid break and Caio Lucas produced a lovely finish that looked destined to restore their lead, only for the flag to go up. It was incredibly tight and a real let off for the hosts.

Nicolas Gimenez is unable to continue after picking up an injury and has been taken off on a stretcher. Ramadan comes in to replace him as UAE look to settle after a frantic spell.

Can either side find a late winner in the added minutes, or are we heading for another thirty minutes of extra time?

Aymen Hussein is out and Amar Muhsin has come on, who has never scored an International goal so far.

Mohanad Ali couldn't connect the cross from the right side with composure. He blazed it over the bar from close range. What a chance that was

They are constantly putting UAE under pressure in the closing minutes. They are creating havoc in both wings. It looks like fatigue has crept into UAE players. Fresh legs needed if the game goes to extra time.

A corner from Iraq led to a header that struck the arm of Nader before Eissa made the save, and the officials are now reviewing the incident for a possible penalty. Penalty given for hand ball. Painful one for UAE

After a long delay and plenty of arguing, Iraq switched their penalty taker at the last moment and Amir Al Ammari held his nerve to score.

Football can be incredibly cruel. The UAE were the stronger team in the first half and took a fully deserved lead after the break. Iraq’s substitutes turned the match around, with Mohanad Ali making a huge impact as he headed in the equaliser from a set piece. Caio Lucas thought he had restored the UAE lead but his brilliant finish was ruled out for offside. Moments later another set piece proved costly. An unfortunate handball by Yahya Nader was picked up by VAR and a penalty was awarded. It is a painful way for the UAE to go out after such a committed performance.

Iraq turned the match on its head in Basra as Graham Arnold’s changes delivered real impact, and Al Ammari showed great calmness and composure to bury the late penalty. They now move on to the play off tournament in March 2026 with their dream of reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1986 still alive.