A dramatic late show from Iran gave them a deserved 2-0 win over 10-man Wales, their first-ever win over European opposition, at the Qatar World Cup 2022 Group B clash on Friday. Following Wales' poor show, stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were heavily trolled on Twitter.
A dramatic show in stoppage time from Iran gave them a thrilling 2-0 win over a 10-man Wales, their first-ever win over a European opposition, in their Group B clash at the Qatar World Cup 2022 on Friday.
What a moment for IR Iran! 🇮🇷 | pic.twitter.com/2OLKu7hlLp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)After a spectacular performance as a replacement against the USA, Wales decided to give Kieffer Moore a starting spot, promptly forcing Hossein Hosseini to make a stop.
Iran was the first to score, but Ali Gholizadeh's goal was disallowed for being offside due to his premature run. Sardar Azmoun's right-handed shot off the post of Wales and subsequent curling attempt off the left-hand post ignited the game early in the second half.
Wayne Hennessey was called upon as Iran increased the pressure, and he made a superb stop down to his right-hand side on a shot by Saeed Ezatolahi.
Ben Davies forced Hosseini to tip his powerful shot over the bar after a brilliant Wales move, while Wayne Hennessey was later sent for a crazy challenge on Mehdi Taremi outside the area.
With substitute goalkeeper Danny Ward on duty, Iran almost had the lead late on when Medhi Torabi's shot went inches wide of the post.
The Welsh suffered misery when Rouzbeh Cheshmi scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time with their defence pulled deep and out of position. Three minutes later, Ramin Rezaeian scored a chipped goal to beat Ward and put Iran up 2-0, leaving Wales in despair.
A remarkable victory for IR Iran. |
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)Jess Fishlock, Wales' most-capped footballer, told BBC, "Wales have to work through this over the next couple of days and get ready for England. Go up against England regardless of their result tonight. Go and play against England and show everybody exactly who they are."
Slamming Welsh star Gareth Bale's performance during the clash at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Pat Nevin, Former Scotland winger, told BBC Radio 5 Live, "If his name wasn't Gareth Bale, you'd have taken him off, and you would not play him in the next game." "He had no impact whatsoever and he didn't try to go by anyone. We know the Bale from the past but that didn't look like the same guy," he added.
Former Wales defender James Collin too stated that the team cannot keep relying on Bale. "You could hear the dejection in Gareth Bale's voice and some of that might have been in his own performance. He will know he hasn't performed to levels we're used to. But we can't keep relying on Bale to dig us out, do something magic or score a worldie goal."
Bale and Aaron Ramsey were also heavily trolled on Twitter following this shocking defeat to Iran. "Just absolutely pathetic from all involved bar Ampadu, to be honest. Bale and Ramsey strolling around doing absolutely nothing. The tactics were shocking. Got exactly what they deserved in the end. Moore talking a big game before the tournament too. Stupid," noted one angry Wales fan.
Another added, "Bale and Ramsey been non existent in both games so far," while a third said, "Hoping the cheerleaders, the Welsh in particular, can finally admit Gareth Bale is over the hill. And Aaron Ramsey for that matter. Both totally ineffective and neither able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Iran deserved the win. Better team."
Here's a look at some of the reactions and memes that have flooded Twitter following this Group B clash:
Gareth Bale right now pic.twitter.com/UG7Cz6MWNN
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball)ahí va Bale a intentar remontar el varapalo de Gales pic.twitter.com/ocrtsvkS0R
— Pablo Mur (@pablomurrrr)Gareth Bale by 3pm today pic.twitter.com/38UgIJ6Pb7
— Dios Mio (@Farda_Alphonso)Even Gareth couldn’t Bale Wales out 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/d3Zj01aK3O
— Eben🌴 (@Oghenebruno)Gareth Bale spent months training for this on the LAFC bench pic.twitter.com/CShOzSPyA6
— John Muller (@johnspacemuller)The whole wales squad looking at Bale after he said “lads it’s only Iran” pic.twitter.com/871tcQn5Cz
— THFCJS🇩🇪🇧🇷 (@THFCJS17)Gareth bale if set pieces never existed pic.twitter.com/IUaRhD93P0
— Cal (@CalGoai)gareth bale pic.twitter.com/Fq8UE59bXH
— anth (@up2anth)Ramsey trying to play 3 different roles in midfield pic.twitter.com/dhHQkQrmqG
— . (@ccfcben)Coming off the phone to Rob Page playing Ramsey in a 2 man midfield: pic.twitter.com/YMMlsGtDrk
— Dylan Davies (@dylantdavies1)This Bale & Ramsey last dance 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/826sbwiEuS
— Joshua O'Dell (@Joshuaaaaaa1407)Bale and Ramsey pic.twitter.com/5BeNFsUU1l
— as¡I. 🇦🇷🇪🇸🇯🇵🇨🇦 (@jutglaaa)Asked one teacher how he felt about Ramsey and Bale playing so badly.
He shrugged and said if it hadn’t been for them we wouldn’t be in the World Cup.
Just absolutely pathetic from all involved bar Ampadu, to be honest. Bale and Ramsey strolling around doing absolutely nothing.
The tactics were shocking. Got exactly what they deserved in the end. Moore talking a big game before the tournament too. Stupid.
Bale and Ramsey been non existent in both games so far
— Svend (@svendcarr17)Hoping the cheerleaders, the Welsh in particular, can finally admit Gareth Bale is over the hill. And Aaron Ramsey for that matter. Both totally ineffective and neither able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Iran deserved the win. Better team.
Surprised just how poor Wales have been across both games. Bale and Ramsey look so far off the pace you’d surely consider benching them against England?
— Sam Farley (@FarleyWrites)Ramsey and Bale passengers - both legends but they both should’ve been pulled today by at least 60 min. We got away with it v USA…just. Page must own this - anyone with even a passing knowledge of football could see this. That said, Yma o hyd, all is not lost, keep going. 🏴👏
— Gavin Price (@GavinMPrice)We’re out of the World Cup, Ramsey and Bale didn’t show up, Page tactics were al wrong, nice.
— Sloper Road Blues🏴 (@SloperBlues)Really rooting for Wales there but they were so poor. Ramsey shocking, Bale completely missing in second half, no plan but to pump it up to Moore but passes were so wayward. Hennessy lost his head. And Joe Allen’s scuffed clearance for Iran’s first. Absolute shocker.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday)Bale is finished
Ramsey is finished
Wales looked outta their depth
Not so much a World Cup campaign as a Bale and Ramsey farewell tour.
There's loyalty and there's sacrificing the whole thing to let your mates play
Utter shambles.
Joe Rodon and Ben Davies, take a bow though.
ramsey and bale pic.twitter.com/bdM5hzYxaH
— 😋 (@childiintime)gareth bale and aaron ramsey in this World Cup pic.twitter.com/sC2xS4ozQe
— Tom Davidson (@TomDavidson09)Biggest moment in our history and to perform like that has really done me in. Just felt like there was no passion, first touch from all attacking players was shameful. Ramsey and Bale non existent again. Just at least go down fighting ffs 🏴
— SwansTalk (@swans_talk)Bale and ramsey should be in the gunter Williams role
— m🇵🇸🏴 (@m12344567876)Worst two performances from wales in a decade. Tactics all wrong and Bale and Ramsey shown that they are both past it. The squad looked like they were running on treacle, very heavy legged. Out with the old and in with the new now.
— Jim (@JimGeordie)