Iraq 2-1 Bolivia: Hussein secures final World Cup berth

Aymen Hussein secured Iraq a 2-1 win over Bolivia in their inter-confederation play-off, securing them the final World Cup spot.

Iraq were pegged back in the first half, but Hussein’s goal proved the difference as they booked a return to the finals for the first time in 40 years.

Amir Al Ammari almost broke the deadlock nine minutes in with a stunning, swerving free-kick that was about to nestle in the top corner until Guillermo Viscarra tipped it onto the bar.

But from the following corner, Al Ammari picked out Ali Al Hamadi, who nodded his header past the goalkeeper to put Iraq in front.

Bolivia pulled themselves back level in the 38th minute. Moises Paniagua was left unmarked on the left of the box, and he bent a lovely finish past Ahmed Basil.

Ramiro Vaca saw a free-kick comfortably held by Basil just before the break, and Bolivia were punished for that miss in the 53rd minute as Hussein met Marko Farji’s delivery first time to guide it into the net.

Mohanad Ali missed a chance to make sure of the win 81 minutes in as he blazed over, while Fernando Nava almost caught Basil out with a tight-angled effort in stoppage time, but the goalkeeper got down sharply to keep him out.

وأخيراً… حلمُ وطنٍ يتحقّق