In an electrifying match at the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar the Iraqi national team clinched a thrilling 2-0 victory over Sudan on Saturday securing their place in the tournament’s quarterfinals. The win sealed in the final minutes demonstrates Iraq’s growing dominance in Group D and keeps fans on the edge of their seats as the competition intensifies
In an electrifying match at the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar the Iraqi national team clinched a thrilling 2-0 victory over Sudan on Saturday securing their place in the tournament’s quarterfinals. The win sealed in the final minutes demonstrates Iraq’s growing dominance in Group D and keeps fans on the edge of their seats as the competition intensifies
Late Goals Seal Iraq’s Victory
The decisive moments came in the closing stages of the match. Mohannad Ali opened the scoring in the 82nd minute breaking the deadlock with a clinical finish after a Sudanese defensive error. Just two minutes later Amjad Atwan doubled Iraq’s advantage with a precise low shot from the edge of the penalty area putting the game beyond Sudan’s reach
This late surge highlighted Iraq’s resilience and strategic patience as the team patiently worked to create scoring opportunities throughout the match ultimately capitalizing in the final ten minutes to secure a deserved victory
Group D Standings After Matchday Two
With this result Iraq leads Group D with six points maintaining an edge of two points over Algeria who earlier recorded a commanding 5-1 win against Bahrain. Sudan sits in third place with one point while Bahrain remains at the bottom of the group with zero points
The group’s dynamics are now shaping up for an intense final round of matches. Iraq’s strong position gives them a favorable path into the knockout stage while Algeria Sudan and Bahrain all face crucial fixtures to determine their fates
Match Highlights Sudan Starts Strong
The game began with Sudan asserting early pressure reaching Iraq’s goal twice in the opening ten minutes. However the Iraqi goalkeeper Ahmed Basel remained alert denying any clear scoring opportunity
Sudanese players also appealed for a penalty after Mohammed Abdelrahman Al-Gharbal went down in the box but the referee after consulting VAR allowed play to continue. Sudan came close again in the 30th minute when Al-Gharbal received the ball directly in front of the goal but astonishingly sent his shot over the crossbar missing a golden chance
Despite early momentum Sudan could not capitalize and the first half concluded 0-0 leaving the outcome wide open for the second half
Second Half Drama Iraq Takes Control
Iraq started the second half strongly with Hussein Ali unleashing a powerful shot just eight minutes in narrowly missing the target. Moments later Mohannad Ali appeared to score in the 66th minute but the goal was disallowed for offside after VAR review
Sudan’s defense continued to face pressure and another Iraqi opportunity arose in the 70th minute when Ali Jassim found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Nour but the Sudanese keeper made a vital save to keep his team in contention
Closing Moments Goals That Made History
The decisive breakthrough came in the 82nd minute. A Sudanese defensive miscue allowed Mohannad Ali to control the ball directly in front of goal and score effortlessly. Just two minutes later Amjad Atwan extended Iraq’s lead with a sliding shot from outside the penalty area effectively sealing the match and sending Iraqi fans into jubilation
These last-minute goals not only secured the win but also demonstrated Iraq’s patience tactical discipline and clinical finishing highlighting the team’s readiness for the knockout stage
Looking Ahead Quarterfinal Prospects
With this victory Iraq is well-positioned for the quarterfinals while Sudan and Bahrain must navigate challenging final group matches to stay in the tournament. Algeria now trailing Iraq will aim to consolidate their spot in the knockout stage with a strong performance in the coming fixtures
The Arab Cup has once again showcased competitive football in the region with teams demonstrating tactical awareness resilience and high-level skill. Iraq’s late surge serves as a reminder of the team’s determination and ability to perform under pressure signaling their potential as serious contenders for the title
Conclusion
Iraq’s 2-0 win over Sudan was a thrilling display of football defined by late goals strategic play and unwavering determination. As the Arab Cup progresses fans eagerly anticipate the quarterfinal matchups with Iraq leading the charge and other Group D teams vying to keep their tournament dreams alive
This result not only cements Iraq’s position as a formidable force in the tournament but also sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the group stage with every match increasingly critical for teams aspiring to lift the Arab Cup trophy