With his team’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition hanging by a thread, Hennessey saw red for a moment of madness with just four minutes of the game remaining. Wales were then undone by two goals in stoppage time, as Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian sealed the victory for Iran. It was a crushing blow for Wales, who will now need to beat England in their final group game if they are to have any hope of progressing to the last 16.
Hennessey’s dismissal means that Wales will be without their first-choice goalkeeper for the crucial clash with England, as he will now serve a one-game suspension. This is a huge blow for Wales, as they were already facing an uphill task to reach the knockout stages of the competition. Wales will need to rely on other results going their way if they are to have any hope of progressing. It was a disappointing end to the game for Wales, who had put in a valiant effort up until Hennessey’s red card. Rob Page’s side had been the better team for large periods of the game, but they were ultimately undone by their own goalkeeper’s mistake. Hennessey will no doubt be bitterly disappointed with his performance, as his moment of madness has potentially cost his team dearly.