Agencies
Rouzbeh Cheshmi scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to break a scoreless stalemate and Iran went on to defeat Wales 2-0 at the World Cup on Friday.
Cheshmi’s strike from outside the box was just beyond the diving reach of Wales backup goalkeeper Danny Ward, who was pressed into duty when starter Wayne Hennessey was sent off in the 86th minute.
Ramin Rezaeian added a second goal moments later, and Iran wildly celebrated while some of the Welsh players dropped in disbelief to the field.
Hennessy was ejected in the 86th minute for a high challenge on Mehdi Taremi.
Gareth Bale made his 110th appearance for Wales, the most all-time for the national team, but the Welsh appeared sluggish early after a 1-1 draw with the United States in their Group B opener.
“Gutted” Gareth Bale could not hide his disappointment.
Wales now need to beat England in their final Group B match and hope other results go their way to have any chance of progressing to the last 16.
“We’re gutted. There is no other way to say it,” skipper Bale told the BBC.
“We’ve fought until the last second. It’s one of those things, it’s difficult to take but we have to recover and go again.”
Wayne Hennessey’s 86th-minute red card left Wales clinging on for a point at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
But their resistance was finally broken in the eighth minute of time added on by Rouzbeh Cheshmi’s blistering strike.
Ramin Rezaeian then added a second in the 11th minute of added time to seal a famous victory for Iran, who were thrashed 6-2 by England in their opening game.
“Obviously the red card changes the game completely. We let the first one in and the second one doesn’t matter,” added former Real Madrid attacker Bale.
“We have to pick ourselves up straight away. We have one game left and we have to enjoy the occasion.
“It’s going to be difficult, for sure. We’ll see what happens in the other game.”
Wales manager Rob Page has had his say after the defeat to Iran, speaking to BBC Radio Wales.
"Our performance before the red card was not acceptable.
"We hoped it would all come together today, but we were nowhere near the levels we've set and the standards we've set in recent games.
"One or two you can carry, but when there are so many off days there is only one outcome.
"I always take responsibility, that's my team, the sending off didn't help of course but at that point we had five forwards on the pitch so couldn't get a defensive shape.
"But yes I'll always take responsibility for performances.
"It's a difficult changing room at the minute but we will be ready [against England], it's a local derby and a great game to finish on and we'll be prepared to go."