Iraq secured a vital 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the return leg of their FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) tie on November 19, 2025. This win in Baghdad gave Iraq a crucial three points and a measure of revenge after the earlier draw, significantly boosting their chances of advancing to the next round of Asian qualification. The match process was dramatic, with Iraq scoring twice in the first half through a penalty and a swift counter-attack. The UAE pulled a goal back early in the second half to set up a tense finale, but the Iraqi defense held firm under sustained pressure to see out the win. The decisive moment was the early penalty, awarded after a VAR review for a handball, which set the tone for a confident Iraqi performance. This result propelled Iraq to the top of their qualification group, while leaving the UAE with work to do in their remaining matches. The Iraqi manager hailed the victory as a testament to the team's spirit and tactical discipline, while the UAE coach conceded his team made costly errors in the first half that proved decisive. The passionate home crowd in Baghdad witnessed their team field an aggressive starting XI that took the game to their opponents from the first whistle.