Luck helps Qatar beat Iran to reach the final

Kết quả Asian Cup 2023: May mắn giúp Qatar thắng Iran để vào chung kết

Sardar Azmoun scored the opening goal for Iran in the 4th minute. (Photo: Reuters)

Just 4 minutes after the opening whistle, Iran was able to celebrate the opening goal. Sardar Azmoun hooked the ball into the Qatar net, after Alireza Jahanbakhsh's throw-in caused chaos in the penalty area.

Undaunted by the early loss, Qatar calmly played their game to the cheers of a large home crowd. However, Qatar equalized 1-1 in the 17th minute with a bit of luck.

Akram Afif tried to compete in the penalty area and then passed the ball back to Jassem Gaber who rushed up to finish, the ball hit Saeed Ezatolahi's foot and changed direction before going into the Iranian net in an unpredictable trajectory.

The unexpected loss made the Iranian players frustrated and not play as smoothly as the home team. After the assist, Akram Afif continued to shine with a goal to raise the score to 2-1 for Qatar in the 43rd minute.

Ahmed Fatehi fought hard to beat Mehdi Taremi in a one-on-one challenge and then sent a pass. Akram Afif dribbled into the box and fired a powerful shot into the far corner, beating goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Iran's goalkeeper was helpless against Qatar's deflected shot that equalized 1-1. (Photo: Reuters)

Akram Afif scored and assisted to help Qatar take a 2-1 lead. (Photo: Reuters)

Lucas Mendes saves on the goal line for Qatar. (Photo: Reuters)

Falling behind, Iran seemed to wake up and attack relentlessly. Hossein Kanaani almost equalized 2-2 in the 45+1 minute, but his close-range shot was blocked by Lucas Mendes on the goal line.

The half-time break did not cool down the Iranian team and they equalized just minutes after the second half started. VAR intervened and helped the referee determine that Ahmed Fatehi used his hand to block the ball in the Qatar penalty area. Alireza Jahanbakhsh successfully converted the penalty, bringing the match back to the starting line.

Iran played better for most of the second half, but Qatar showed their tenacity before luck created a breakthrough in the 82nd minute.

Abdel Aziz Hatem's shot lacked power after an Iranian defender headed Akram Afif's cross, but it turned out to be a good pass for Almoez Ali to score, making it 3-2. At first glance, the Qatari striker looked offside, but the semi-automatic offside technology determined that there was still an Iranian defender on the edge of the penalty area standing lower than Almoez Ali.

Iran players were stunned as Almoez Ali scored, thinking the opponent was offside. (Photo: Reuters)

Almoez Ali became the hero who brought Qatar to the final of the 2023 Asian Cup. (Photo: Reuters)

Iran finished the match with only 10 men on the field. (Photo: Reuters)

Alireza Jahanbakhsh was denied an equalizer at 3-3 by the post before the end of the match. (Photo: Reuters)

Although Qatar was fortunate to have help, Iran should blame themselves for exposing their “weakness” in front of the penalty area. All three goals they conceded came from this area. In addition, Iran players lost concentration at sensitive moments.

Iran's troubles were compounded when Shojae Khalilzadeh was shown a red card for a foul on Akram Afif in the 90+3 minute. Initially, the referee only showed a yellow card, but VAR intervened and the Iranian centre-back was sent off.

With 10 men, Iran attacked fiercely and created clear opportunities. However, luck was on Qatar's side when the post denied Alireza Jahanbakhsh's shot in the 90+13 minute.

Qatar won 3-2 against Iran to advance to the final of the 2023 Asian Cup against Jordan. Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and his teammates have the opportunity to be crowned champions at home and successfully defend their championship.

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