Iraq’s player Zidan moments before shooting the ball (photo by Osama Al-Salmi). The Iraqi national team succeeded in winning against Indonesia 1-0 in the match held at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, as part of the second round of Group 2 in the Asian World Cup 2026 qualifiers playoff.

The match remained goalless until the 76th minute when Zidan Iqbal scored the precious winning goal for Iraq, which played with 10 men after defender Zaid Tahseen was sent off in the ninth minute of added time in the second half due to a second yellow card.

Both teams shared control of the game from the start. Iraq had the first attacking initiative when Ibrahim Baish took a direct free kick that was cleared by the defense. In response, Thome Hai took a shot from outside the penalty area that went just wide. The attacks continued from both sides, with Indonesian Mauro Ziegelstra rising to head a ball inside the penalty area, which went just past the post. Meanwhile, Baish shot from outside the box, missing the target.

Iraq’s coach Graham Arnold brought on Yusuf Ayman and Zidan Iqbal at the start of the second half, while Indonesia substituted Ragnar Oratmangoen and Oly Romenig to change the game’s dynamics. Substitute Yusuf Ayman shot from inside the penalty area but missed, and Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan saved a shot by Kevin Diks from inside the box.

From an individual effort, substitute Zidan Iqbal scored Iraq’s first goal with a sliding ground shot from outside the penalty area that settled in the left corner of the Indonesian goal (76th minute).

After the goal, the “Red” intensified their attempts hoping to reach Jalal Hassan’s goal, while Iraq relied on counterattacks in the final minutes. Yusuf Ayman nearly doubled the score with a shot from inside the penalty area saved by goalkeeper Martin Baish.

The referee showed a second yellow card then a red card to Iraqi defender Zaid Tahseen, but the match ended without further changes to the score, securing the win for Iraq.

With this result, Iraq achieved its first win and earned 3 points. Saudi Arabia tops the group with 3 points from one match, ahead of Iraq on goal difference. Indonesia remains without points after two matches. The third and final round will be held on Tuesday, where Saudi Arabia will face Iraq. Saudi Arabia has two chances (win or draw) to qualify directly for the World Cup, while Iraq must win to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup finals.

The top team from each of the two groups qualifies directly for the World Cup finals, while the two second-placed teams will play a knockout round in the Asian playoffs to determine the team that advances to the global event.