Iraq Crowned Gulf Cup Champions After Edging Oman

Iraq defender Manaf Younis scored a last gasp to give his country a hard fought 3-2 victory over Oman in the final of the 25^th Gulf Cup on Thursday evening.

Oman came from behind twice and the match seemed to be heading to a penalty shoot-out before Younis scored the winner for Iraq in the dying seconds of extra time, driving the entire country into a state of euphoria.

The match that took place just hours after a stampede happened at the venue Basra International Stadium hours before the Gulf Cup final. State media reported that one person had died and 60 were injured.

Despite the tragic incident and rumors of the final being postponed to a later date, the match went on as scheduled.

Iraq took the lead through Ibrahim Bayesh in the 24^th minute, and just as Iraqi fans were getting ready to celebrate, Oman levelled the score through Salaah Al Yahyaei from the penalty spot ten minutes into added time.

The hosts regained the lead with a penalty from Amjad Attwan in the 116^th minute before Omar Al Malki scored the equalizer with a deft header two minutes later.

Younis’s game winner sent the city of Basra and the entire country into frenzy as fireworks went off and live ammunition was heard in several areas.

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 تاريخي وللتاريخ

هدف العراق الثالث ضد عمان الدقيقة 122 الذي جلب اللقب، صوت الجمهور طغى على صوت المعلق

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/jk7spOQMlC

— نواف الآسيوي 🇸🇦 (@football_ll55) January 19, 2023

This is the fourth time that Iraq are crowned Gulf Champions and the first time since 1988.

The 26^th edition of the Gulf Cup will take place in Kuwait in December, 2024.