Wales vs Iran, World Cup 2022 live: Score and latest updates as Welsh saved by the post twice
COME ON WALES #COMEONWALES
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11:19 AM 57 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Brennan Johnson and Dan James are on for Wales. That is not a defensive change from Rob Page. Wales are going for this now. They need to get the momentum back.
11:17 AM 55 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
It’s Mepham to the rescue for Wales as Hajisafi lashes a shot towards goal after a poor clearance. Iran are turning the screw here.
11:14 AM 52 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
WOW.
Iran hit the post twice inside 30 seconds!
The ball over the top finds Azmoun who hits the post with his effort. Moments Gholizadeh hits one from distance which also canons off the post before Azmoun’s follow-up is straight at Hennessey.
Crazy scenes.
Davies looks to feed a cute ball through the midfield but it’s blocked by a solid wall of Iranian bodies. This is exactly what was promised but went sorely lacking in Iran’s game against England earlier this week. Wales are finding it very hard to break them down.
11:09 AM 47 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Iran are already looking for that ball over the top that served them so well in the first half. With Rodon now on a yellow card, that could be an even more potent weapon.
11:06 AM 45 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
We’re underway in the second half…
No changes for either side.
11:05 AM More needed
A man for big goals, Wales need more from Gareth Bale. He again was pretty quiet in that half.
The football hasn’t been the finest but the tension is palpable in this one. Both sides know a loss here would pretty much end their chances of qualification.
Expect both sides to be going for it in the second half. Should be very exciting.
10:54 AM Player ratings
A breathless first half of what feels like a knockout match for both sides. Give us you players ratings below.
10:52 AM ‘A chaotic half of football’ 
Sam Dean at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
A chaotic half of football, although Wales started to take more control after a shaky start. Their best moments have come through Kieffer Moore — he needs more service.
10:50 AM HALF TIME: Wales 0-0 Iran
The referee’s whistle blows.
Tight, tense and hot half in Doha.
10:49 AM 45+4 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Rodon picks up a yellow card for a loose challenge at the end of this half. He’ll have to be careful now.
10:48 AM 45+2 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Just as I say that Iran create a half chance. Ezatolahi whips a lovely ball into the six-yard box and Azmoun is only inches away from getting on the end of it. Rodon did enough to put him off but that was close.
10:48 AM 45+2 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Just as I say that Iran create a half chance Ezatolahi whips a lovely ball into the six-yard box and Azmoun is only inches away from getting on the end of it. Rodon did enough to put his off but that was close.
10:46 AM 45 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Iran started well here but their attacking threat has waned slightly as the half has worn on, much to the relief of Wales. Evenly poised here.
Four minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
10:43 AM 42 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Pouraliganji gets across to put in an excellent block on a Harry Wilson shot. That’s great defending from the big Iranian centre back. That chance again came from link up play with Kieffer Moore – Wales’ best player in this half for my money.
10:41 AM ‘Midfield is the problem for Wales’
Sam Dean at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
The midfield is the problem for Wales at the moment. There’s no real sense of control or structure in there, and Iran have been able to slice through the centre of the pitch far too easily. I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe Allen comes on soon, because Ethan Ampadu needs some help in there.
10:39 AM 38 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Wales attack has been a little one dimensional, with their best chance coming from a great cross from Roberts for Moore. I can’t remember another, similar ball from them in this entire half. That feel like an avenue they need to explore more.
Rodon is under pressure as Azmoun – who appears to have shaken off his knock – races after a ball over the top. Ben Davies assists with the clearance but that simple ball over the top has been a real thorn in the side of Wales in this first half.
10:34 AM 33 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Danny Gabbidon on BBC commentary wants Wales to try and look after possession a bit more and you’ve got to say he’s right. The pace of this game is frantic, with neither side dominant in possession for any amount of time. It appears this style suits Iran better than Wales.
10:30 AM 29 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Kieffer Moore continues to be a great outlet for Wales. This time his flick on finds Bale who takes on an audacious volley. It says plenty about his standing that I was disappointed he didn’t hit the target there.
Nearly 30 mins gone here. What do you make of the performances of both sides?
10:28 AM 27 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Azmoun, who has looked dangerous in his link-up play with Taremi, is down and receiving treatment. Wales will not be sorry to see the back of him if injury does force him off.
10:26 AM Let us know your thoughts
Who will win this one?
10:24 AM 23 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Neco Williams wants foul for a robust challenge on the right by Rezaeian. This game has been full blooded so far. You can feel the desperation of both sides.
Jeremy Wilson at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
First 15 minutes of Iran v Wales had suggested that the USA will be a much tougher test later this evening for England than Iran. Wales were on front foot and in control of possession after being outplayed for long periods against USA. And then Iran suddenly counter-attacked and cut Wales wide open, with only VAR coming to their rescue.
10:19 AM 18 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Wales got away with one there and now must take advantage. Free kick in a dangerous area on the right byline. Harry Wilson stands over it.
10:17 AM Or is it?
Gholizadeh was offside as he tapped the ball in! Wales survive.
10:15 AM GOOOOAAAALLLL
IRAN LEAD.
Poor play from Wales opens to door for Iran who work it cleverly to create an opening for Gholizadeh.
He wheels away in celebration thinking he’s scored….but wait.
Plenty going on here. First it’s a huge chance for Moore who gets on the end of a great ball from Roberts but his volley is straight at Hosseini.
Moore has got a boot in the face for his trouble and looks to be bleeding fairly badly.
The frantic pace of this game appears to suit the Iranians and Wales are just trying to take the sting out of things. Lovely movement from Aaron Ramsey is spotted by Ethan Ampadu but the former’s subsequent pass can’t find Moore in the box.
10:08 AM 7 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Decent chance for Azmoun as Iran pick up a 50/50 ball in midfield and work an overlap. His shot is weak though and doesn’t test Hennessey.
10:07 AM 6 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
Pressure on Wales early here. Plenty of dangerous balls going into the box and a couple of panicky clearances. This already looks like a different Iran to the one we saw against England.
Iran answer back with a couple of decent dinked balls over the Wales back line. Taremi and Azmoun put pressure on Mepham but he does well to clear the danger.
10:03 AM 3 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
First effort on goal is from Wales. Kieffer Moore gets the flick on for Harry Wilson, who then feeds Neco Williams. He cuts in on his right and takes on an ambitious effort but can’t keep it down.
Jeremy Wilson at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Iran players singing the national anthem today after the silence on Monday, but jeering around the stadium and high emotion among their fans with some in tears.
10:00 AM 0 min: Wales 0-0 Iran
It’s Wales who gets us underway in around 30C heat here. The conditions will favour the Iranians surely.
09:57 AM The Iranians are singing
The Iran players are singing their anthem this time. There is a fair amount of jeering in the crowd though. Tough to know whether that’s coming from the Wales fans or the Iranians fans themselves.
09:55 AM Excellent Welsh support
Land Of My Fathers being belted out here. Hairs up on neck stuff…
Just under 10 minutes to go until kick off at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and the teams are in the tunnel. There’s a sea of red behind the goal at one end but there are a few empty seats as well.
09:49 AM The view from the press box 09:41 AM ‘Strange coincidence, or something deeper?’
Sam Dean at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
This World Cup has started in the same way for Wales as last year’s European Championship. A 1-1 draw in the opening game, followed by a match against a team that had been thrashed in their first fixture. Strange coincidence, or something deeper? Wales will be hoping it’s the latter: against Turkey in their second game last year, they produced a stunning performance, winning 2-0 in Baku.
09:39 AM Goals, goals, goals
The importance of Iran’s defensive rigidity is underlined by the fact that they have not scored more than two goals in their last nine matches. If this is going to be a side that ships goals, they simply do not have the attacking pedigree to make up the difference. At least Wales hope they don’t…
Jeremy Wilson at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Good to see Iran manager Carlos Queiroz resisting any temptation to start goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand following his “serious concussion” in the match four days ago against England. Fifa guidance stipulates at least six days between a concussion and another match but, unlike their stance with the OneLove armband, it is not backed up by any disciplinary sanction. At the last World Cup, Morocco simply ignored the guidance and allowed Nordin Amrabat to play only five days after a concussion. Fifa had been in touch with the Iran federation this week to make it clear that Beiranvand should not play but the final decision rested with the Iran staff.
09:26 AM Stadium attendance
Plenty of attention will be on the stands ahead of this one. Attendances have been a little disappointing in Qatar thus far, with empty seats pretty evident at at least two of yesterday’s matches. For Wales’ first match at this very venue the official attendance was a respectable 43,000. Puzzling considering the stadium itself only holds 40,000. But hey, I’m not in stadium management so clearly I’m missing something.
Wales fans in the stands ahead of the FIFA World Cup Group B match at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium – PA
© PA 09:23 AM More flags removed
It appears any flags which even attempt to make any kind of statement are being removed from Iranian fans. A policy very much in line with security service’s attitude towards the rainbow emblem.
A fan inside the stadium holds up an Iran fan with a black cross – Reuters
© Reuters 09:19 AM Wales need a win…quickly
The Welsh form coming into this one is something to note. Rob Page’s side are without a win in their last five matches in all competitions, their last victory coming in their vital World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Cardiff in June. A corner needs to be turned, and quickly, if they have intentions of making serious noise at this World Cup.
Remember, the Iranian side made their own stance on the issue clear ahead of their game against England by refusing to sing their nation’s national anthem. That will be something to watch again ahead of this one.
09:11 AM Iranian protest
Members of the travelling Iranian support have arrived holding shirts and flags in protest of the killing Mahsa Amini, the Iranian women who died after being beaten during her arrest in September. It appears Qatari security have attempted to quell those protests.
ns hold up a shirt with the name of Mahsa Amini and a flag advocating for women’s rights during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and IR Iran at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium – Getty Images
© Getty Images 09:02 AM Beiranvand injury
Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand received a nasty head injury in the opening stanzas of his side’s game against England. His efforts to stay on the field were pretty laughable considering his condition and real scrutiny has been placed on both the Iranian medical team and Fifa for even entertaining the possibility he could continue. He was eventually replaced and will is expected to play no part today as he is in concussion protocols. He’s sported quite the facial accessory in training this week.
Hossein Hosseini is expected to replace him between the sticks.
Carlos Queiroz makes five changes from the side who lost to England Hosseini, Rezaeian, Gholizadeh, Ezatolahi and Azmoun all come in. Beiranvand, Moharrami, Jahanbakhsh, Cheshmi and Karimi are the ones to drop out.
Hossein Hosseini
Rezaeian
Pouraliganji
Majid Hosseini
Mohammadi
Gholizadeh
Noorollahi
Ezatolahi
Hajsafi
Azmoun
Taremi
Subs: Beiranvand, Moharrami, Khalilzadeh, Jahanbakhsh, Ansarifard, Amiri, Niazmand, Kanaani, Ghoddos, Cheshmi, Torabi, Karimi, Abedzadeh, Jalali.
08:54 AM Wales confirmed XI
Kieffer Moore does start in place of Dan James. That is only change Rob Page has made from the side which drew with USA
Hennessey
Mepham
Rodon
Ben Davies
Roberts
Ramsey
Ampadu
Wilson
Neco Williams
Bale
Moore
Subs: Gunter, Allen, Johnson, Ward, Morrell, Lockyer, Jonathan Williams, Harris,
08:49 AM Moore pushing to start
After his performance against USA in the second half you’d have to imagine Kieffer Moore is pushing for a place in Rob Page’s starting XI today. He offered a focal point for Wales’ attacking line, something which allowed Gareth Bale more space and a greater ability to influence proceedings. Looking at Monday’s side, Dan James might be the one to make way but that is all to be revealed.
Welcome to day six of the World Cup in Qatar and it’s Wales we focus on this morning as they get set to face Iran.
Both sides come into this game in dire need of a positive result if they harbour any ambitions of getting beyond the group stages and with the remaining Group B sides – England and USA – facing off later, this is their chance to make a statement.
While many Welsh fans will perhaps be disappointed that their side could not go on and beat USA in their opening match on Monday, 1-1 was probably a fair result on balance.
Rob Page’s side struggled to establish themselves in the first half, going a goal behind to a Timothy Weah goal with talisman Gareth Bale looking somewhat out of sorts.
However, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Despite an underwhelming overall display, Bale stepped up and scored a vital second-half penalty which rewarded good Welsh work after the break.
While not ideal, a draw was far from disastrous for the men in red and they now have the chance to set up a grandstand clash with England next Tuesday should they come out of this one with three points.
At the other end of the spectrum, Iran did endure a disastrous day at office on Monday. A loss to England was expected but a 6-2 thumping was not.
Billed as a well-drilled defensive side with a limited but at least present attacking edge, Iran proved far too porous and were thoroughly exposed by a quality England performance.
Carlos Queiroz will be looking for his side to return to the sort of form that saw them defeat Uruguay in a pre-tournament friendly in September.
Striker Medhi Taremi was billed as Iran’s big attacking threat coming into this tournament, so his brace against England was at least evidence that he is in a goalscoring mood.
The question then becomes whether Iran can do the business at the defensive end to make sure his efforts truly count.
Full team news is expected from 9am.