Wales vs Iran World Cup live updates: Results, highlights, score, news and analysis

Azmoun versus Rodon rumbles on. This time, the ahead simply steals a yard forward within the six-yard field and is inches away from getting a contact on a superb cross from the suitable half-space.

Rodon has additionally now been booked for a wild lunge on Taremi.

Simply earlier than half-time, instance of what we would hoped to see from Kieffer Moore: he receives a cross on the sting of the field and slips Harry Wilson into house. An excellent restoration from the Iranian defence shuts down the prospect, although, and Wilson’s shot is deflected out for a nook.

Hosseini claims effectively in site visitors, nonetheless, and we’re no nearer to a gap aim.

I am dwelling with Tifo’s Joe Devine in the course of the match and he is throwing the occasional pearl of knowledge throughout the lounge. This is his newest:

“Iran have had considerably much less possession and but have been rather more harmful. A reminder that possession is a assure of nothing.”

Sardar Azmoun has made an enormous distinction and, though they apparently do not get on off the pitch, he and Mehdi Taremi look harmful in tandem.

Azmoun particularly appears to be stretching the Welsh defence. He is simply examined Joe Rodon’s tempo and, earlier within the half, would have been by way of on aim if not for one of many last-man tackles of the match from the on-loan Spurs centre-half.

Sina Saemian is from the Gol Bezan podcast and was one of many Iranian journalists who spoke to James Montague for the article we printed on The Athletic. That is his response to the anthem:

Laura has messaged from the stadium:

“Be amazed if either side can sustain this tempo for 110 minutes or nonetheless lengthy World Cup matches final today. It is frenetic. A big portion of the pitch is shaded however most of Wales’ half is uncovered to the solar. No cap for Hennessey however a lot of bucket hats within the Wales finish.”

And Alex has been again in contact too:

“Iran already wanting roughly 1,000,000 occasions higher than it did in opposition to England. They’re combining effectively on the break and profitable sufficient particular person battles with Welsh defenders to get clear probabilities, as within the aim referred to as again for offside.”

Properly, effectively, effectively…

An enormous warning for Wales, who’re minimize open by a superb transfer on the prime of the pitch. The timing of the final cross wasn’t fairly proper although and VAR chalks it off.

Massive, massive save from goalkeeper Hosseini, who blocks a header from Kieffer Moore. Positively Wales’ finest second to this point, who open-up Iran with a wonderful cross from Connor Roberts.

Good sport this. A bit frantic, however simply beginning to boil.

Two minutes in and the sport is but to quiet down. Neco Williams has simply sprayed a shot throughout the Iranian aim, however it’s ok solely to clatter into the stand behind the aim.

In the meantime, Laura Williamson has despatched an image from the pressbox.

It’s totally tough to observe.

Because the Iranian nationwide anthem performed, the digital camera panned to an aged man within the crowd who then burst into tears as he noticed himself on the massive display. It additionally settled on a girl who did a lot the identical and, within the stadium, The Athletic’s senior editor Laura Williamson studies loud jeering all through.

I just like the Kieffer Moore choice. As England and Harry Kane confirmed, Iran appear to wrestle with an even bigger ahead and the presence of that pivot allowed the supporting gamers to be rather more distinguished. This is hoping that principle proves true for Wales and Gareth Bale.

Proper – the espresso has brewed and I am awake. Ish.

It is a enormous second for Welsh soccer, with a win over Iran sending them briefly prime of the group till the USA play England tonight.

Maybe unsurprisingly, Kieffer Moore begins up entrance for Wales having made a really optimistic impression from the bench in opposition to the US.

Dan James is now a substitute in Rob Web page’s solely change from that sport.

The Leicester goalkeeper has loved a large upturn in type within the final couple of months at his membership aspect.

However Ward doesn’t begin in opposition to Iran – Wayne Hennessey, who was chosen in opposition to the US, will play as a substitute.