Heart counts, not ducats! Iraq join DR Congo with a winner in 90+17 minutes
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 18.11.25. | 23:32
They came from behind to beat the United Arab Emirates (2-1) and qualify for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoff
Iraq's Lions of Mesopotamia are one step away from a dream come true. In front of 65,000 roaring fans, Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in the return leg and marched into the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 World Cup thanks to a penalty in the 17th minute of stoppage time.
Amir Al-Amari, the Krakow midfielder, seized the ball from earlier goalscorer Mohanad Ali and buried it coldly into the top corner. UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa dived the wrong way, ignoring the warning of his teammate Fernandes - one of a dozen naturalised players in a UAE team built on expensive foreign recruitment. Iraq erupted!
It was passion against money, and passion won. A team forged in a country scarred by war and poverty outlasted an Emirati side assembled with huge investment, coached by a parade of high-profile managers from Bert van Marwijk to Alberto Zaccheroni. Even Cosmin Olaroiu, hired as the latest solution, could not save the UAE's quest for their first World Cup appearance since 1990.
For more than an hour, the visitors controlled the match. Fernandes opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, and later had another goal ruled out for offside. The technique was on the UAE's side, but the belief belonged to Iraq. Mohanad Ali equalised midway through the second half with the help of a deflection, then missed a huge chance moments before the disallowed UAE goal. And when a desperate handball by Yahia Nader gifted Iraq one final corner deep into stoppage time, fate tilted toward the hosts.
The penalty was given. Al-Amari stepped up. The stadium held its breath - and then exploded.
Under Graham Arnold, the veteran Australian coach who took his home nation to the 2022 World Cup knockout stage, Iraq have earned the right to continue dreaming of their first World Cup since 1986. That journey now takes them back to Mexico, where the intercontinental play-off will unfold next spring.
Six nations will battle across two mini-tournaments: Iraq, Bolivia, DR Congo, New Caledonia and two teams from CONCACAF. Only two will reach the World Cup.
2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - ASIA
Playoffs' final - Second leg
Tuesday
Iraq - UAE 2-1 (1-1)
/Ali 66, Al-Amari 90+17 - Fernandes 52/
