Iraq beats Kuwait 3-2 in Gulf Cup thriller with dramatic late winner

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq claimed their first victory of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup with a thrilling 3-2 win over Kuwait on Saturday at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, as substitute Karrar Nabeel struck a thunderous stoppage-time winner to settle a dramatic encounter between the two Gulf rivals. After opening their Group A campaign with a 1-1 draw against Oman, Iraq needed a win in Kuwait and got one in dramatic manner, with coach Graham Arnold’s changes transforming the final moments. Following a goalless first half, Zidane Iqbal put Iraq ahead in the 52nd minute, giving the Lions of Mesopotamia the breakthrough after starting the match in midfield. Kuwait equalized in the 75th minute when Yousef Nasser scored from the penalty spot, setting up a tense final 15 minutes. Iraq reclaimed the lead eight minutes later when Saif Rashid scored a fantastic acrobatic goal from a cross to make it 2-1. As the game progressed, Arnold’s replacements added new energy to Iraq’s offensive. Jussef Nasrawe shined after coming on, giving speed and direct running down the right flank while regularly putting pressure on Kuwait’s defense. Karrar Nabeel also came off the bench and would later provide a crucial contribution. Kuwait refused to give up, as Nasser scored again in the 90th minute to complete his brace and tie the game at 2-2, seemingly winning his team a point. Iraq replied nearly instantly. Nabeel fired a tremendous shot deep into stoppage time to make it 3-2, igniting jubilation among Iraqi players and fans and capping off an incredible encounter. The contribution from Iraq’s bench was especially significant. Nasrawe provided Iraq with additional offensive danger down the right, and Nabeel’s entrance resulted in the game-winning goal. Iraq now has four points from their first two Group A matches, after a tie with Oman in which Mohammed Qasim scored the only goal. Saturday’s success also extended Iraq’s current undefeated streak against Kuwait, who last defeated the Iraqi national team in 2014. The match brought another unforgettable chapter to one of Gulf football’s long-standing rivalries. Kuwait is the competition’s most successful country, with ten trophies, while Iraq has won the Gulf Cup four times, most recently in Basra in 2023. The style of Iraq’s victory offered an added boost: Iqbal scored the first goal, Saif scored a fantastic second, Nasrawe helped fuel the assault from the bench, and Nabeel scored the winner at the end. Iraq will now focus on their last Group A encounter against Saudi Arabia on September 29, with Arnold’s team aiming for a spot in the Gulf Cup semifinals.