Iraq vs Venezuela
Match Report
Venezuela made a confident pre-World Cup statement, defeating Iraq 2-0 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The result was effectively settled when Jesús Ramírez struck just seconds into the second half, leaving the home side with no route back.
Cristian Cásseres opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a clinical finish after breaking through Iraq's defensive line. Ramírez doubled the advantage right at the 46-minute mark, pouncing on a defensive mistake. Iraq threw on three substitutes at the restart looking for a reaction, but their evening worsened in the 72nd minute when Ali Yousif Hashim was shown a straight red card for recklessly stepping on goalkeeper José Contreras.
For Iraq — making their first World Cup appearance in 40 years — the defeat exposed defensive vulnerabilities ahead of group-stage tests against France, Senegal, and Norway. Venezuela, equally World Cup-bound, will take real confidence from a controlled, disciplined display.
Match Events
12'
17'
41'
46'
46'
46'
46'
53'
64'
64'
64'
64'
72'
75'
75'
75'
75'
80'
85'
85'
85'
88'
12'
17'
41'
46'
46'
46'
46'
53'
64'
64'
64'
72'
75'
75'
75'
75'
80'
85'
85'
85'
88'
Head to Head
0
Iraq wins
0
Draws
1
Venezuela wins
Goals: 0 - 2
