Vietnam exit World Cup qualifiers with defeat against Iraq

Before this match, which started 1 a.m. Wednesday Hanoi time, Vietnam’s chance of advancing to the third qualifying round was already over when Indonesia defeated Philippines 2-0 in the earlier game to claim group F's second place. The team entered the game at Basra Stadium with a comfortable mindset and still aimed for a victory. Host Iraq have secured the top spot in group F but still wanted to close out the second qualifying round with an all-win record.

Vietnam stood firm in the first 10 minutes under pressure from the host, before Hussein Ali scored in the 12th minute. From a distance of 27 m, the Iraq right-back shot from long distance with power, beating goalkeeper Filip Nguyen.

Hussein Ali (C) celebrates the opening goal for Iraq in the 3-1 win over Vietnam in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, June 12, 2024. Photo by IFA

Five minutes later, right-back Vu Van Thanh made a careless pass and Mohanad Ali ran past Do Duy Manh, then earned a penalty after being fouled by Filip. Ali took the penalty, but his shot to the bottom left went outside of goal.

Iraq played high pressing, making it difficult for Vietnam to hold the ball. In the 27th minute, midfielder Rebin Sulaka kicked Khuat Van Khang in the thigh but escaped punishment from the referee. Nguyen Quang Hai and Van Thanh also put the ball into the net twice, but the goals were both called off as they fouled the defenders.

Vietnam's first dangerous chance came in the 44th minute when Nguyen Duc Chien passed a long ball into the penalty area from the right flank. Van Thanh did not have a good first touch, so he did not hit the ball right and missed the shot when facing the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Filip blocked Mohanad Ali's header. The ball bounced out, but two Iraq players were so eager for the ball that they stepped on each other’s foot and missed the chance to score.

In the second half, Vietnam almost conceded in the 49th minute with Ali Jasim's shot hitting the bar. However, the Iraq attacker still could celebrate in the 71st minute when his shot from outside the box hit Nguyen Hoang Duc's foot. The ball changed direction and hit the post into the net, leaving Filip no chance.

Pham Tuan Hai quickly gets the ball back to the game after scoring for Vietnam against Iraq in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, June 12, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Doan Huynh

The match was exciting until the last minutes with two more goals. In the 84th minute, an Iraq defender cleared the ball poorly, creating a chance for Pham Tuan Hai to volley from about 25 m. The ball bounced into the left corner, but goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, who went up too high, couldn't stop it. However, the two-goal gap was repeated in the second minute of injury time when Aymen Hussein easily scored from a tap-in, after Akam Hashem's shot hit the post.

The 3-1 victory helped Iraq complete their goal of finishing the second qualifying round with all wins, while Vietnam exited the tournament and will have to play the qualifiers of the 2027 Asian Cup.