Iran–Iraq football rivalry
| File:IRN-IRQ 20190116 Asian Cup 22.jpg | |
| Other names | Iran vs Iraq |
|---|---|
| Location | Asia (AFC) |
| Teams | File:Flag of Iran.svg Iran File:Flag of Iraq.svg Iraq |
| First meeting | 1 June 1962 (63 years ago) |
| Latest meeting | Iran 1–0 Iraq 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (27 January 2022) |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 31 |
| Most wins | Iran (18) |
| Top scorer | Iran Ali Daei (4) |
| Largest victory | Iran 4–0 Iraq 1964 Olympic qualification (22 March 1964) |
The Iran and Iraq national football teams are sporting rivals since 1962.[1][2][3] According to The Malay Mail, "Emotions are always high when Iran and Iraq meet on the football pitch".[4] The most recent match between the two teams was in World Cup qualifier on 27 January 2022 hosted in Iran, where Iran won the game by 1–0.
Origins
The rivalry is not such a football-inspired ill-feeling between the two, but more of geography and history.[5] Iran and Iraq are neighboring countries, that share a long history. In the contemporary era, especially during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the two countries had bad relations.[2][3] In 2001, an Iran-Iraq match was not held at a neutral venue for the first time in decades.[3]
Major tournament matches
| Iran File:State Flag of Iran (1964).svg | 3–0 | File:Flag of Iraq (1963–1991); Flag of Syria (1963–1972).svg Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Kalani File:Soccerball shade.svg 34', 70', 78' |
.svg){kind=link}
;_Flag_of_Syria_(1963%E2%80%931972).svg){kind=link}
| Iran File:State Flag of Iran (1964).svg | 2–0 | File:Flag of Iraq (1963–1991); Flag of Syria (1963–1972).svg Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Nouraei File:Soccerball shade.svg 45' Roshan File:Soccerball shade.svg 58' |
1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
| Iraq File:Flag of Iraq (1991–2004).svg | 2–1 | File:Flag of Iran.svg Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Radhi File:Soccerball shade.svg 20' Kadhim File:Soccerball shade.svg 38' |
Daei File:Soccerball shade.svg 21' |
.svg){kind=link}
| Iran File:Flag of Iran.svg | 1–2 | File:Flag of Iraq (1991–2004).svg Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Daei File:Soccerball shade.svg 90' (pen.) | Report | Fawzi File:Soccerball shade.svg 37' Sabbar File:Soccerball shade.svg 69' |
| Iran File:Flag of Iran.svg | 1–0 | File:Flag of Iraq (1991–2004).svg Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Daei File:Soccerball shade.svg 77' | Report |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
| Iraq File:Flag of Iraq (1991–2004).svg | 1–2 | File:Flag of Iran.svg Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammed File:Soccerball shade.svg 20' | Report | Karimi File:Soccerball shade.svg 30' Daei File:Soccerball shade.svg 84' |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
| Iran File:Flag of Iran.svg | 2–1 | File:Flag of Iraq (1991–2004).svg Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Mahdavikia File:Soccerball shade.svg 27' Karimi File:Soccerball shade.svg 71' |
Report | Chathir File:Soccerball shade.svg 52' |
| Iraq File:Flag of Iraq.svg | 1–2 | File:Flag of Iran.svg Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Mahmoud File:Soccerball shade.svg 13' | Rezaei File:Soccerball shade.svg 42' Mobali File:Soccerball shade.svg 84' |
2019 AFC Asian Cup {{#lst:2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D|d6}}
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
| Iraq File:Flag of Iraq.svg | 2–1 | File:Flag of Iran.svg Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
| Iran File:Flag of Iran.svg | 1–0 | File:Flag of Iraq.svg Iraq |
|---|---|---|
Matches
.svg){kind=link}
.svg){kind=link}
.svg){kind=link}
.svg){kind=link}
Statistics
Overall
| Iran Iran | 18 wins |
| Iraq Iraq | 6 wins |
| Draws | 7 draws |
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran Ali Daei | 4 |
| 2 | Iran Hamid Shirzadegan | 3 |
| Iran Hossein Kalani | 3 | |
| Iran Sardar Azmoun | 3 | |
| 3 | Various players | 2 |
See also
References
- ↑ "Iran and Iraq set for QF showdown". ESPN.com. 2015-01-22. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Montague, James (January 13, 2011). "Pitch Warfare: Iran face Iraq in soccer grudge match". CNN. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Iran-Iraq classic rivalry". Iran Daily. No. 4924. November 5, 2014. p. 11.
- ↑ Montague, James (January 22, 2015). "Iran vs Iraq: Quarter-final clash reignites decades-old rivalry". The Malay Mail. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
- ↑ Duerden, John. "Asia awaits neighbourly rivalry". ESPN. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ↑ Panahi, Majeed (7 August 2014). "Iran – International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- ↑ Courtney, Barrie (21 January 2011). "Iraq – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved November 21, 2014.