Final stats: Iraq dominated possession (58%), 12 shots on target — Iran’s defense exhausted late. Asian football media hailed Salman’s composed heroics.

Sun, 03 May 2026 02:16:21 +0000

Final Statistics Reveal Iraq’s Dominance: 58% Possession, 12 Shots on Target as Iran’s Defense Faltered In a gripping showcase of tactical discipline and technical precision, Iraq emerged victorious with a commanding display of control, dominating possession at 58% in a match that highlighted Iran’s late-game defense fatigue. The final stats tell a compelling story of an Iraqi side throwing caution—and creativity—into every phase of the game. Beginning with volume, Iraq flooded the box with 12 shots on target—far outnumbering Iran’s limited yet opportunistic attempts. While Iranian defenders struggled to contain the sustained pressure, their downtime late in the second half exposed structural weaknesses, allowing Iraq’s fluid attacking movements to dictate tempo without relentless pressure. Substituting raw numbers with flair, Asian football media swiftly hailed Salman’s composed heroics, calling it a masterclass in composure and vision under pressure. Often underappreciated in earlier stages, Salman orchestrated transitions with clinical precision, threading through gaps and delivering decisive crosses that kept Iran’s defense off balance.