Iraq 1-0 Andorra Highlights, FIFA International Friendly 2026: Ali Najatee's Goal Hands IRQ Narrow Win

Greetings, we are back with another live blog and it is Andorra national football team vs Iraq national football team. Stay tuned for live updates from the international friendly in Girona.

Competition: FIFA International Friendly

Date: Friday, May 29, 2026

Venue: Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Girona, Spain

Status: Kick-off imminent (9:30 PM IST)

Iraq’s qualification journey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was an arduous two-year odyssey that finally ended a 40-year drought for the nation. Under the leadership of Australian head coach Graham Arnold, the "Lions of Mesopotamia" navigated a grueling AFC qualification path. Despite facing significant logistical challenges, including travel disruptions linked to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the team displayed remarkable resilience. They played a total of 21 matches throughout their qualification cycle—the most of any team in the global process—demonstrating the depth of their commitment to reaching the expanded 48-team tournament. After narrowly missing out on direct qualification through the standard AFC group stages, Iraq entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament held in Mexico. The stakes culminated in a high-pressure final at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on March 31, 2026, against Bolivia. Iraq delivered a heroic performance, securing a 2–1 victory to clinch the final spot in the tournament. Ali Al-Hamadi opened the scoring early in the 10th minute, and after Bolivia equalized, Aymen Hussein netted the decisive match-winner in the 53rd minute. This historic victory made Iraq the 48th and final team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, triggering massive, emotional celebrations across the streets of Baghdad. By securing this berth, the Lions of Mesopotamia returned to football's grandest stage for the first time since their debut in 1986. They have since been drawn into Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway, marking the start of a new chapter in Iraqi football history.

For the Andorra national football team, tonight’s friendly against Iraq at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi serves as a vital exercise in defensive resilience and team calibration.

Entering the match as the clear underdog—with FIFA rankings placing them at #173 compared to Iraq’s #57—Andorra’s primary objective is to maintain structural integrity and gain much-needed confidence after a challenging run of recent fixtures.

Fahad Talib, Ahmed Yahya, Akam Hashem, Mustafa Saadoun, Zaid Tahseen, Ahmed Qasem, Aimar Sher, Zidane Iqbal, Marko Lawk Farji, Mohanad Ali, Youssef Amyn

The whistle has blown at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, marking the official start of the FIFA International Friendly between Andorra and Iraq. The atmosphere in Girona is charged with anticipation as the ball begins rolling, signaling the start of a tactical test for both sides.

In these opening moments, it is the home side, Andorra, that has settled into possession, looking to assert themselves on the ball early on. Both teams have signaled their intent to play with intensity, with each side eager to establish a foothold and find the game's opening breakthrough. With pride and momentum on the line, the players are pressing with urgency, clearly intent on securing an early advantage in what promises to be a hard-fought contest.

The opening stages of the match have been defined by high-intensity combat, with both teams coming out of the gate with aggressive intent. Play has been frequently interrupted by a series of fouls, underscoring the physicality each side is bringing to the pitch as they battle for early dominance. With both squads displaying a clear hunger for an early breakthrough, the tempo is frenetic, setting the stage for what fans hope will be a high-scoring and thrilling encounter as the match settles into its rhythm.

The match has now passed the 10-minute mark, with the intensity remaining high as both teams continue to trade pressure. Iraq has controlled the majority of possession throughout the first quarter of the game, consistently looking to unlock the defense and net the opening goal.

However, the tide is beginning to shift slightly; while Iraq maintains the advantage in ball retention, Andorra is slowly finding their rhythm and gaining more control of the pitch. The contest remains evenly balanced, and as both sides continue to press with urgency, the prospect of an opening goal feels increasingly likely. The challenge for both managers now is to convert this high-energy play into concrete attacking opportunities.

The deadlock has been broken in the 20th minute, courtesy of a clinical finish from Ali Yousif. His decisive strike has handed the home team a well-earned lead, shifting the momentum firmly in their favor. With the breakthrough secured, the side is expected to maintain their attacking impetus, looking to capitalize on their current rhythm and craft further opportunities to extend their advantage.

As we pass the 30-minute mark in Girona, the match remains a tightly contested affair. Both sides are actively probing for openings, though the rhythm of the game has been significantly fragmented by a high frequency of fouls, leading to a stop-start flow that has frustrated attempts to build momentum.

With less than ten minutes remaining in the first half, the intensity remains high as both squads fight for control. Iraq, buoyed by Ali Yousif's 19th-minute strike, is currently dictating the tempo and pressing hard in search of a second goal, stringing together some sharp attacking sequences. While the match officials have yet to brandish any cards, the persistent physicality suggests that a tighter disciplinary approach may be needed soon to settle the players. Both teams continue to give their all, with Andorra looking to hold firm defensively before mounting their own counter-attacks as the interval approaches.

The first half of this international friendly has concluded at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi with Iraq holding a 1–0 lead over Andorra. It has been a compelling encounter, characterized by both sides leaving everything on the pitch in a display of high energy and commitment.

Iraq has dictated much of the play, looking the sharper of the two sides throughout the half, and they deservedly broke the deadlock in the 19th minute thanks to a clinical finish from Ali Yousif. While Andorra has shown resilience and remains well-structured in their defensive approach, they have struggled to find the finishing touch when opportunities have arisen, failing to capitalize on their own spells of possession. As we head into the break, the visitors hold the advantage in a match that has been both tactical and highly competitive.

The second half is officially underway at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi! With Iraq carrying a 1–0 lead into these final 45 minutes, the tension in Girona is palpable. The stage is set for an intriguing conclusion as Iraq looks to solidify their advantage and secure the win, while Andorra fights to regain a foothold and find an equalizer. Both sides have returned to the pitch with renewed energy, and fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a highly competitive half of football.

Iraq opened the second half with immediate intent, mounting an early dangerous attack that ultimately lacked the final touch to extend their lead. With the scoreline remaining at 1–0 in favor of the visitors, the intensity has not waned as the opening ten minutes of the period have already elapsed. Both sides continue to battle fiercely, demonstrating excellent tactical awareness as they press for a breakthrough. While both teams are playing an impressive brand of football, the defensive units have remained resolute, consistently thwarting advancements in the final third. As the contest progresses, the challenge remains for either side to unlock these stubborn defenses and add to the scoreline.

As we approach the 70-minute mark, Iraq continues to dictate the tempo, maintaining a consistent advantage in possession and orchestrating several high-quality attacking sequences. Despite this sustained pressure, they have struggled to convert their dominance into a second goal; their attempts have either drifted wide of the mark or been thwarted by a resilient Andorran defensive line.

Both sides remain fully committed to the contest, actively hunting for the decisive play that could secure victory in this international friendly. As the match nears its final act, the intensity remains high, and there is a clear expectation that both teams will continue to push forward, keeping the hopes alive for more goals in these final stages of an intriguing battle.

With only ten minutes remaining on the clock, Iraq has firmly taken control of the proceedings, playing with a superior rhythm and consistently carving out dangerous opportunities. Despite their dominance and clear intent to extend the lead, they are being held at bay by a resilient defense that is successfully breaking up their final-third entries. The match remains characterized by a high frequency of fouls, which continues to disrupt the flow and frustrate Iraq's search for further goals. As we enter the closing stages, the tension is mounting; both sides are digging deep, and all eyes are on whether Iraq can finally find a way to dismantle the defensive wall and add to their tally before the final whistle.

With less than ten minutes remaining, the tension on the pitch is palpable, though the high-intensity pace of the match remains commendable. Iraq has clearly asserted themselves as the superior side in these closing stages, consistently probing for a second goal to put the result beyond doubt.

As the clock ticks into the final four minutes, both teams are still fighting with visible urgency. However, the rhythm has become increasingly fragmented, hampered by a high frequency of fouls that have disrupted the flow of play. Despite the scrappy nature of the final act, both sides continue to commit players forward, holding onto the hope of a late breakthrough. Whether Iraq can secure a cushion or a late twist alters the landscape, the final minutes promise a frantic conclusion to a closely contested international friendly.

The tension is truly palpable as we enter these final, nerve-wracking moments. The referee has signaled for three minutes of stoppage time, but with the frequent breaks and tactical pauses throughout the half, he has allowed for a bit more to ensure every second is played out. It is a heart-stopping conclusion to an intense international friendly, with both Iraq holding onto their slender lead and Andorra desperate to snatch something from the game before the final whistle. Every challenge now carries immense weight, and the atmosphere in the stadium is electric as both sides push for one last decisive moment to settle this great match.

The final whistle has sounded, confirming a hard-fought victory for Iraq. While the match was characterized by tactical stalemates and a fragmented rhythm due to frequent fouls, Iraq’s persistence ultimately proved the difference. Their ability to manage possession and maintain defensive discipline despite Andorra's resistance was the highlight of a gritty performance.

For Iraq, this result serves as a vital confidence booster. As the team continues its preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, securing results in these international friendlies is essential for building squad chemistry and refining their approach. While there is clearly work to be done in terms of clinical finishing and maintaining fluidity against low-block defenses, this win provides a solid platform. The coaching staff will look to carry this momentum forward, using the lessons learned from this narrow victory to sharpen their tactical execution ahead of the global stage.