In a night of high drama at the Basra International Stadium, Iraq secured their place in the inter-confederation play-offs with a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over the United Arab Emirates, winning 3-2 on aggregate.

Following a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg, the second half exploded into life when Caio Lucas silenced the home crowd, giving the UAE the lead in the 52nd minute. However, the "Lions of Mesopotamia" responded with ferocity. Mohanad Ali leveled the score in the 66th minute, reigniting hope for the hosts.

With the match destined for extra time, the game took a sensational turn deep into stoppage time. In the 107th minute (90+17'), Iraq was awarded a decisive penalty. Amir Al-Ammari kept his composure to convert the spot-kick, sealing a historic win that keeps Iraq's dream of a 2026 World Cup berth alive.