Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Espinho: Mohammad Mokhtari’s late winner helped Iran begin their 2015 FIFA Beach World Cup in style on Friday thanks to a sensational 6-5 win over Spain.
The result leaves Iran second in Group C behind Brazil who thumped Mexico 5-1 in the day's final game.
In what would prove to be a fascinating encounter, Iran went ahead within 69 seconds courtesy of a strike from the experienced Farid Boulokbashi, before Antonio and then Nico replied to hand Spain the lead.
Moslem Mesigar drew the Iranians level in the fifth minute, only for Llorenc to put the Spaniards ahead yet again with only eight minutes on the clock.
Iran’s Mostafa Kiani saw red early in the second period after picking up his second yellow card, a dismissal that clearly buoyed Spain who almost immediately stretched their lead through Antonio’s second of the game.
Asia’s 2013 champions were, though, not going down without a fight, and they reduced the deficit when Boulokbash doubled his tally, before Mokhtari scored to level matters in the 19th minute.
With less than six minutes remaining, Antonio popped up to register his hat-trick and put Spain within sight of all three points. The drama was, however, far from over.
An Ezeqiel own goal subsequently made it 5-5 and with only seconds remaining Mokhtari chipped the ball home past Spanish goalkeeper Dona to seal a win that will live long in the memory of Iranian fans.
Iran are now scheduled to face Brazil on Sunday.
Photo: FIFA / Getty Images