Iran and Wales were locked in a tight scoreless draw nearing stoppage time at the 2022 World Cup when the game changed entirely on a reckless challenge and video review.
Iran forward Mehdi Taremi got behind the Wales defense and appeared to have an angle at a one-on-one attempt against goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. But Hennessey came way out of his net and out of the penalty area to challenge Taremi for the ball.
Hennessey attempted to clear the ball with a high kick of his leg as he and Taremi collided. Initially, head referee Mario Escobar gave Hennessey a yellow card as the Iranian players circled Escobar and implored him to show a red card.
The video assistant referee recommended Escobar look at the play for a potential red card. Escobar quickly changed his mind after review and rescinded the yellow for a red card to send Hennessey off in the 87th minute, leaving Wales with 10 men for the rest of the match.
The call set the stage for Roozbeh Chesimi’s stunning game-winning goal in the 98th minute and put Wales on the brink of elimination. Iran scored again to win 2-0.
The red card was largely agreed to but created quite the conversation on Twitter, especially with the game affecting the United States’ chances of getting out of Group B.
A red card is given to Wayne Hennessey after this challenge 🟥 pic.twitter.com/frfbiOt0we
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 25, 2022
IRAN SCORES IN THE 98th MINUTE 😱🇮🇷 pic.twitter.com/5yPWevQ4YS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 25, 2022
Wayne Hennessy: “I was just waving at someone in the crowd, with my leg.
Ref: “Fair enough, yellow card it is” pic.twitter.com/tD5aXHwNVG
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 25, 2022
No, luckily VAR got involved as Wayne Hennessy originally received a yellow card for a Brogue Kick. Good decision to change it to a clear red pic.twitter.com/oSi3Km1a1j
— Has the Referee or VAR made a poor decision? (@PoorEPLreferees) November 25, 2022
Wayne Hennessy vs Iran highlights Fifa World Cup 2022: pic.twitter.com/ar6MA5mbG5
— Odhráin (@itsodhrain) November 25, 2022
THAT HAD TO BE RED CARD FOR HENNESSY!#WALIRN
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) November 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/Madeley/status/1596108993323479046?s=20&t=DCXtrbLdLDYJqfWAQ_XLBQ
Wales clearly had a defender back, but that’s a red card just for the tackle. Absolutely ridiculous.
— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) November 25, 2022
