The pressure that has been brought to bear on this Iranian team at the 2022 World Cup was released with two goals deep into this excellent match.
Wales offered plenty of huff and puff but at no point did any house look like being blown down. In truth, it seemed they were so scared to lose that they forfeited the opportunity to win.
Following some top saves from Wayne Hennessey in the second half – making crucial stops from both Saeid Ezatolahi and Sardar Azmoun, which followed Iran hitting both posts in the space of nine seconds – the Welsh goalkeeper became the first player to receive a red card at the 2022 tournament.
In fact, Hennessey is only the third goalkeeper ever to get a red card at the World Cup, after Itumeleng Khune for South Africa versus Uruguay in 2010 and Gianluca Pagliuca for Italy against Norway in 1994.