Iraq stunned 10-man Iran 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to reach the last four in an explosive Asian Cup quarter-final between the bitter rivals on Friday.
Defender Salam Shakir was Iraq’s hero, keeping his cool to put away the decisive kick after a marathon shoot-out and send his team into a semi-final clash with South Korea.
In a sensational encounter at Canberra Stadium, the sides were locked at 1-1 at full-time before Iran twice came from behind in extra-time to force penalties.
Iran had been a man down since Mehrdad Pooladi was sent off for a second yellow card late in the first half, sparking a furious reaction from coach Carlos Queiroz.
But their heroics were in vain when Vahid Amiry struck the post with the 15th spot-kick and Shakir stepped up to coolly slot the winner for the 2007 champions.
Iran started well and Sardar Azmoun powered a header past goalkeeper Jalal Hassan for a 1-0 lead on 24 minutes, before they were were controversially reduced to 10 men.
Pooladi was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation from Australian referee Ben Williams — a target of Queiroz’s wrath earlier in the tournament.
Iraq goalkeeper Hassan pushed Pooladi in the chest, sending the Iranian left-back falling to the ground — far too easily in the opinion of William, who gave him a caution.
But the referee appeared to have forgotten that he had already booked Pooladi earlier in the half, and having been reminded, reached for his red card a good while afterwards.
The furious Queiroz, fined $3,000 for criticising Williams after the group win over Bahrain, had to be restrained as he tried to talk to the referee going into half-time.
A rejuvenated Iraq made their numerical advantage count after the break when Ahmed Yaseen drove in a low shot at the back post to make it 1-1 on 56 minutes.
As the second half progressed, players were starting to wilt in the 32 degrees Celsius (89 Fahrenheit) heat and were taking every opportunity to stop for water.
Iranian legs begun to tire but they hung on until extra time, when Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud, scorer of the winner in the 2007 final, headed his side 2-1 in front.
Iran levelled through Morteza Pouraliganji’s header — but the defender’s joy was shortlived as he conceded a penalty by clattering into Yaser Kasim, which Dhurgham Ismael dispatched.
It looked all over, but Iranian substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad headed in from close range less than two minutes from the end of extra-time to force penalties.
Both sides missed their opening spot kicks but then scored six each, including a “panenka” from Mahmoud, before Shakir took full advantage of Amiry’s miss for Iran.