After a famous 1-1 draw against USA on Monday and with England to come next week, it was imperative for Wales to avoid handing any advantage to their Iranian rivals - who in turn were thumped 6-2 in their opening match against the Three Lions.
But appearing in only their second World Cup match since 1958, Wales were run ragged.
Iran’s Ali Gholizadeh had a goal ruled out through VAR in the first half and both he and Sardar Azmoun saw efforts clatter the post in quick succession in the second.
Despite the attacking threat posed from Iran’s restless front three, the Dragons sensed an unlikely late victory against the run of play and poured forward as the clock ticked down.
Yet a simple punt forward from defence sent Mehdi Taremi clean through.
Wayne Hennessy rushed out and with his right leg extended poleaxed the Porto striker leaving him writhing on the floor.
The referee initially brandished a yellow card before consulting with VAR and correctly upgraded the offence to red.
Iran were boyant and with pressure mounting against the 10-men of Wales, it only took a few minutes before Roozbeh Cheshmi broke Welsh hearts by curling Iran’s first goal from the edge of the box before Ramin Rezaeian doubled their lead by chipping over the onrushing replacement goalkeeper Danny Ward.
In a moment of madness, it will need a miracle if Wales were to come back from this.
