Iraq beat UAE 2-1 thanks to 90+17 penalty, entered play-off
Amir Al Ammari's 90+17 minute penalty, after VAR determined Yahia Nader had touched the ball with his hand, helped Iraq beat UAE 2-1, win 3-2 on aggregate and secure an intercontinental play-off ticket.
In the 90+17th minute, Amir Al Ammari scored a penalty into the top corner of the goal, sealing a 2-1 victory for Iraq over the UAE in the second leg of the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-off. The match lasted more than 100 minutes with 17 minutes of extra time in the second half. Iraq won 3-2 on aggregate after two legs and qualified for the intercontinental play-off round in March next year.
The key moment in the 90+17 minute
The tension peaked in the 16th minute of injury time. VAR determined that Yahia Nader handled the ball in the penalty area under pressure from Mohanad Ali. The referee awarded Iraq a penalty; the UAE players reacted strongly and Caio Lucas received a yellow card for his reaction. From the penalty spot in the 90+17th minute, Amir Al Ammari decisively finished with his left foot into the top corner, ending the comeback.
Development: from the sideline to the dead ball
The first half ended goalless, but UAE increased the pace in the second half. In the 52nd minute, from a central combination, Yahia Nader passed the ball to Caio Lucas who ran down and finished neatly, opening the score 1-0. Before that, Luanzinho and Nicolas Gimenez continuously created trouble from the wings.
Conceding a goal, Iraq pushed up their formation and drilled deep into the wings with Ali Jasim and Merchas Doski. In the 66th minute, from a set piece situation, Amir Al Ammari crossed the ball accurately for Mohanad Ali to jump high and head into the center of the goal, defeating goalkeeper Khalid Eissa and equalizing 1-1.
The rhythm is broken by collision and injury
The match then heated up with many strong collisions. UAE received three yellow cards for Ala Zouhir, Bruno Conceicao and Kouame Kouadio. For Iraq, Amir Al Ammari received a yellow card in the 73rd minute. Injuries to Bruno Conceicao and Nicolas Gimenez caused the match to be interrupted repeatedly, leading to a large amount of extra time.
Tactical analysis
- Iraq adjusted after falling behind: pushing up the formation, exploiting the flanks to open up space in the middle. This directly created dangerous dead balls – the equalizer came from a well-placed cross from Amir Al Ammari.
- The UAE played well on the flanks in the second half, with Luanzinho and Nicolas Gimenez stretching the Iraqi defensive structure. But under the pressure of the end, the visitors committed repeated fouls and fell into a passive position.
- VAR proved to be the turning point: Yahia Nader's handball decision deep into injury time decided the game, reflecting the fine line between constant pressure and individual error.
Selected statistics
- Second leg score: Iraq 2-1 UAE
- Total score after two matches: Iraq 3-2 UAE
- Second half injury time: 17 minutes (match lasts more than 100 minutes)
- Goal milestones: 52, 66, 90+17
| Minute | Event | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | Goal | Caio Lucas (passer: Yahia Nader) | UAE |
| 66 | Goal | Mohanad Ali (from Amir Al Ammari's cross) | Iraq |
| 90+17 | Penalty | Amir Al Ammari | Iraq |
Penalties and interruptions
- UAE: Ala Zouhir (yellow), Bruno Conceicao (yellow), Kouame Kouadio (yellow)
- Iraq: Amir Al Ammari (yellow, 73rd minute)
- Injuries: Bruno Conceicao, Nicolas Gimenez
Impact
The final whistle concluded a 2-1 victory for Iraq at home. After two matches, Iraq beat UAE 3-2 to qualify for the intercontinental play-off round in March next year. UAE stopped after 180 tense minutes.
Final score:Iraq 2-1 UAE (two legs: Iraq 3-2 UAE)
Score:Caio Lucas 52' (UAE); Mohanad Ali 66', Amir Al Ammari 90+17' pen (Iraq)