The Iraq team defeated the Bolivian team 2-1 in the Mexican city of Monterrey and was awarded the last available spot for the next 2026 World Cup, 40 minutes after its first participation.
Thus, Iraq, representative of Asia, will play in the twenty-third edition of the FIFA World Cup, integrating the tough group “I” with the favorite France, the powerful Senegal and the surprising Norway.
Goals from Ali Alhamadi and Aymen Husestadio BBVAsein gave Iraq the victory, while young Moisés Paniagua scored for the Bolivians in the match played at the , home of the Rayados de Monterrey.
“La Verde” had possession of the ball at the beginning of the match, but Iraq pressed and in the 9th minute came close to taking the lead with a shot by Amir Alammari on a free kick, nimbly cleared by Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.
A minute later, on a corner kick, Alhamadi took advantage of a blink from the South American defense and scored with a header to make it 1-0 for the Asians.
Bolivia was patient. Iraq maintained order, until in the 38th minute, attacker Paniagua converted from the right after capturing a pass from midfielder Ramiro Vaca to beat the Iraqi goalkeeper and tie the duel.
Thousands of Bolivian fans in the stands of “The Steel Giant”, some of whom paid more than 1,000 dollars to be in the stadium, jumped with happiness with the temporary 1-1.
The Bolivian team finished the opening half better, although they were unable to reap the rewards of their dominance with the ball, something they would pay dearly for later.
The second half of the game began with an intense fight in the middle of the field. In the 52nd minute, Iraq’s strategist made changes, including Marko Farji entering the field, who seconds later put a ball to Hussein, lethal in the right-footed shot, ahead of his marker to declare the score 2-1.
Later, with the consent of the rival, Bolivia took possession of the ball, however, it did not create much danger against an opponent organized behind. The Bolivians never had clarity or effectiveness despite deserving the tie.
In the last minutes, Bolivia harassed a retreating Iraq, but lacked forcefulness and missed the opportunity to return to a World Cup, after 32 years. Bolivian regret.
This is how they aligned
– Iraq (2): Ahmed Basil; Hussein Ali, Zaid Tah Seen, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski; Youssef Amyn (Marko Farji m.52), Ibrahim Bayesh (Kevin Yakob m.84), Amir Alammari, Aimar Sher (Zaid Ismael m.52); Ali Alhamadi (Ali Jasim m.66), Aymen Hussein (Mohanah Ali m.66).
– Selector: Graham Arnold.
– Bolivia (1): Guillermo Viscarra; Diego Medina (Lucas Macazaga m.67), Luis Haquín, Efraín Morales, Roberto Fernández; Ramiro Vaca (Fernando Nava m.70), Robson Matheus (Enzo Monteiro m.90), Gabriel Villamil; Miguel Terceros, Moisés Paniagua, Juan Godoy.
– Selector: Oscar Villegas.
– Goals: 1-0, m.10: Ali Alhamadi. 1-1, m.38: Moisés Paniagua. 2-1, m.53: Aymen Hussein.
– Referee: Iván Barton, from El Salvador: Warning Ibrahim Bayesh, Zaid Ismael, Marco Farji; Efraín Morales and Lucas Macazaga.
– Incidents: Match between the teams of Iraq and Bolivia that decided the last ticket for the World Cup played at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, northern Mexico, before about 50,000 fans.
