Ali Alwan Breaks Jordan's Arab Cup Drought in Penalty-Paced Quarterfinal Win Over Iraq

Match context

Ali Alwan, Jordan’s star, ends the Nashama’s drought against Iraq in the Arab Cup 2025 quarterfinals currently held in Qatar.

Jordan earns a penalty in the 38th minute after a handball by Mustafa Saadoun, Iraq defender, to deflect a header from attacker Mahmoud Al-Mardhi.

The Nashama urge the referee to review the incident via VAR, and it is awarded after confirmation of the handball against the Iraqi player.

Ali Alwan scores the opening goal after 41 minutes to give Jordan a lead—their first in the Arab Cup quarterfinals after two prior World Cup qualifier games in which they drew 0-0 and eventually lost 1-0 to Iraq.

The last Jordanian goal against Iraq came on January 29, 2024, in Doha as well, in the Asia Cup Round of 16 via Nizar Rashdan, in a match that Jordan won 3-2.

Alwan's tally rises to 4 goals, leading the Arab Cup scorers, notably all from penalties.

Punchline: If penalties are the only guarantees, Ali Alwan just booked Jordan a luxury seat on the score sheet with laser-precise penalties.

Punchline: After this drought, even the Doha weather might start taking notes—goals in the penalty box, not the forecast.