Iraq is last classified! They beat Bolivia and got a ticket to the 2026 World Cup

Iraq achieved its objective: it defeated 2-1 Bolivia in it playoffs and got the last ticket to play the Madial 2026. The match was even and was played in Monterrey, on Mexican soil.

Both dreamed of a historic qualification for the World Cup and the one who made his dream come true was Iraq, which has not entered a World Cup since 1986in Mexico, which was his only participation. Meanwhile, the South American team was unable to return to the top international event, where it has been absent since 1994.

In the “Verde”, directed by the Bolivian Oscar Villegas, it is key Ramiro Vaca in the creation and Miguel Terceros in attack, being the author of the second against Suriname. In Iraq, with the Australian Graham Arnold as coach, the forward stands out Ali Ibrahim Al-Hamadi and midfielders Marko Farji and Zidane Iqbal.

Fairly, Al-Hamadi, 10 minutes into the game, opened the scoring header for the Middle East team. They were 31 when Vaca claimed a penalty for an alleged foul, on the right of the large area, but it was not granted.

Joy came for Bolivia in the 38th minute, when Vaca kicked the goal with a low shot from the left, which was controlled midway by Moisés Paniagua and the striker stopped it and put it across the goal, into the upper left corner of goalkeeper Ahmed Basil. This is how it became 1-1. In stoppage time, Terceros put in a cross with their right foot, their less capable leg, and Basil just enough to get it into the corner. In the corner kick Luis Haquin won with a header and the ball went out, to the fright of the rivals.

Eight minutes into the second period, Iraq took the lead again, 2-1, this time via the attacker Aymen Husseinwho scored a great shot with his right foot after receiving a low cross from the entered Marko Lawk Farji from the right. He continued looking for Bolivia, but with too many centers and without clear elaboration. There were 34 minutes when Paniagua put in a low cross from the left, very dangerous, but Basil stopped the ball.

Two minutes later, Mohannad Ali Kadhim, who had just entered, finished a good cross just high and was very sorry, because he would have ended the series in that play, with Bolivia already desperate, looking for a tie on Mexican soil. Fernando Nava had another chance, replacing Vaca, but his low shot from the left was saved by Basil, a key player in the winner.

Bolivia had just beaten Suriname 2-1 in the semifinals of this playoff. Meanwhile, Iraq’s last game had been in the Arab Cup in December, when they lost in the quarterfinals to Jordan, which will play in the World Cup. For the winner it was an unforgettable triumph.