Iraq edges Bahrain 2-1 to kick off Arab Cup with a bang

First half: Iraq's surprise start

Iraq's national team defeated Bahrain 2-1 on Wednesday in the opening round of Group D at the Arab Cup, now underway in Qatar. The lead came early when a Bahrain clearance deflected into Iraq's net, a moment credited as an own goal in Iraq's favor. Mohannad Ali then popped up with the second in the 25th minute to put Iraq in control.

Bahrain pushed to respond in the closing stages of the half, but Iraq still carried the lead into the break. An earlier clearance mishap and a second Iraqi strike gave the impression of a confident start for the visitors in this continental showcase.

Ongoing pressure from Iraq tested Bahrain's defense, and a sequence involving a strong shot from Sajjad Jassim and a follow-up from Mohannad Ali looked set to seal the first-half story, with VAR confirming there was no offside on the build-up.

Moments later, Bahrain argued for a handball but the officials disagreed, while Omar Salem helped shore up the Iraqi defense as a late change before the halftime whistle.

The chances kept piling up for Iraq, and the half closed with the scoreline still 2-0, leaving Bahrain facing an uphill second period.

Second half: Bahrain rally and a dramatic finish

The restart brought a Bahrain resurgence, with a substitution for Iraq as Sadd Natiq came on for Akam Hashim. Bahrain created a clear chance in the 47th minute, testing the Iraqi defense with a near-miss that curled narrowly wide.

Iraq resisted further pressure as Amjad Atwan and Sherko Karim joined the attack, while Bahrain introduced additional forwards in search of a goal. The visitors still threatened, but Iraq stood firm.

With the clock winding down, Bahrain finally found a lifeline in the 79th minute through Sayed Hashim Issa, lifting the mood for Bahrain and briefly challenging the lead. Iraq responded with grit and discipline, and a late moment changed the complexion of the match when a Bahrain defender, Ibrahim Al-Khatlal, received a red card in stoppage time, wrapping up a thrilling 2-1 victory for Iraq.

Ultimately, Iraq claimed a dramatic win to top Group D as Bahrain head into their next clash against Algeria, while Iraq prepare to face Sudan in their following game. Punchline 1: If this match were a sniper duel, Iraq's final push would be a perfect headshot to Bahrain's hopes. Punchline 2: Football can be a stealthy sport—the ball found the back of the net, and so did Iraq’s confidence.