Graham Arnold writes himself into history as an unlikely hero of Iraq

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iraq/K8aAGt6r/"]Iraq[/a], whose preparations were disrupted by the war in the Middle East, sealed their first appearance at the finals in 40 years and will play in Group I against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a].[/p][p]Goals from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/al-hamadi-ali/bkbKtyxR/"]Ali Al-Hamadi[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hussein-ayman/Aq6AX0QC/"]Aymen Hussein[/a] secured a famous win for Iraq, whose last appearance at the World Cup came at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mexico/O6iHcNkd/"]Mexico[/a] in 1986.[/p][p]"[b]With everything going on in the Middle East at the moment it made it harder for the players,[/b]" said the Australian Arnold, who had initially sought to have the fixture postponed due to the disruption caused by the conflict.[/p][p]"[b]Delighted for the players, very good boys, very happy for the 46 million Iraqis,[/b]" he added.[/p][p]"Hopefully it will help change the perception of Iraq and the football in Iraq. Doing something in the World Cup nobody expects us to do.[/p][p]"[b]Let's shock the world.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="441b8574-d8e7-4b56-bdd8-be007eb61187" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YTxxwzCEp4" social-type="youtube" /][p]Because of travel disruption caused by the US-Israel war on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iran/xrRx85iA/"]Iran[/a], most of the Iraqi squad only reached Mexico after a gruelling three‑day journey from Baghdad that began with an overland crossing into Jordan.[/p][p]But there was little sign of weariness during a confident start by Iraq, who took the lead after nine minutes through [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/luton/SlybbadF/"]Luton Town[/a] striker Al-Hamadi -– the 24-year-old who moved to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a] as a toddler following the outbreak of the 2003 Iraq war.[/p][p]Iraq midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/al-ammari-amir/fwaJHIba/"]Amir Al-Ammari[/a] won a corner after a superb free-kick that was saved at full stretch from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bolivia/nXdi7mbc/"]Bolivia[/a] goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vizcarra-guillermo/Yc1T8o5h/"]Guillermo Viscarra[/a].[/p][p]From the subsequent set piece Al-Ammari curled a pinpoint corner on to the head of Al-Hamadi who nodded home for 1-0.[/p][p]Iraq were well worth the early goal and looked in control until Bolivia, who had gradually grown into the game, equalized after 38 minutes.[/p][embed guid="6807f17d-c852-48a3-b0b6-a75201379191" url="https://x.com/Sachk0/status/2039211572812542457" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vaca-ramiro/2yvkZa7M/"]Ramiro Vaca[/a]'s shot from the edge of the area was controlled with one touch by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/paniagua-moises/C4c4Kj9O/"]Moises Paniagua[/a] and the Morocco-based central midfielder swept into the roof of the net.[/p][p]The goal stunned Iraq and Bolivia looked likely to grab a second after dominating the remainder of the half.[/p][p]Iraq regained the lead eight minutes after the break, when a long ball forward was nodded into the path of substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/farji-marko/86Zebdwt/"]Marko Lawk-Farji[/a].[/p][p]His cross found captain Hussein and the veteran striker clipped a first-time finish into the bottom corner.[/p][p]Bolivia pressed frantically for a goal to force extra-time, but Iraq's well-marshalled defence held firm during nine minutes of stoppage time.[/p][p]The 62-year-old Arnold, who took [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/australia/xSrf6qMM/"]Australia[/a] to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup in 2022, said: "[b]We have two months to get fit.[/b][/p][p]"[b]For us to do something at this World Cup would be a miracle.[/b]"[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/villegas-oscar/8YVNHZ5E/"]Oscar Villegas[/a], the Bolivia coach, was visibly distraught.[/p][p]"[b]Devastated, totally devastated because we believed we could be at the World Cup,[/b]" he said.[/p][embed guid="323d911c-a8a7-4476-8465-4a1608256c4c" url="https://x.com/Sachk0/status/2039213704710074560" social-type="twitter" /]