Iraq down UAE in World Cup qualifying with late Al-Ammari penalty

Iraq scored a penalty 17 minutes into stoppage time to claim a dramatic 2-1 home win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and secure a 3-2 aggregate playoff victory over their neighbours that keeps the country's World Cup qualification dream alive.

Amir Al-Ammari struck from the spot to take Graham Arnold's side into March's intercontinental playoffs in front of a packed-out Basra International Stadium.

The winner came after substitute Mohanad Ali had headed in a 66th-minute equaliser for the Iraqis, who had gone behind to Caio Lucas' opener 14 minutes earlier.

Iraq, who are trying to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since their debut appearance in 1986, will now join five other teams in the playoffs with two spots at the finals available.

A game of few opportunities came to life in the 52nd minute when Yahia Nader drove through midfield to slip the ball into the path of Caio Lucas, the Brazil-born forward taking a touch before scoring beyond Jalal Hassan.

The Emiratis almost doubled their lead two minutes later, only for Nicolas Gimenez's volley to crash against the crossbar with Hassan, who was celebrating his 100th appearance for Iraq, well beaten.

Iraq were second-best for much of the game but a set piece allowed Arnold's side to pull level.

Al-Ammari swung his free kick from the left flank towards the six-yard box and Ali's header took a deflection off Nader that ensured goalkeeper Khalid Eisa had little chance of preventing the ball from crossing the line.

Ali was heavily involved again as Iraq were awarded the decisive penalty, the striker connecting with a header that Nader swatted away with his arm and referee Yusuke Araki pointed to the spot after viewing the pitchside monitor.

Al-Ammari thumped the spotkick high into the goal as Eisa dived the wrong way to spark celebrations in the stands.

Brazil held to friendly draw by Tunisia despite Estevao goal

Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil were held to a disappointing 1-1 friendly draw by Tunisia in Lille on Tuesday as their stuttering build-up to the 2026 World Cup continued.

In-form 18-year-old Estevao scored a penalty but Lucas Paqueta squandered an opportunity to win the game for the Selecao from the spot.

The five-time world champions are heading into next year's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada under a bit of a cloud after only finishing fifth in South American qualifying.

They also slipped to a 3-2 friendly loss to Japan last month, but Ancelotti is confident his team will improve before the tournament.

"We're on the right track to reach our best level at the World Cup," the former Real Madrid boss told reporters.

"We played a very good match against Senegal (last week) and today it was a much more difficult match against Tunisia.

"Tunisia have different characteristics -- they defend with a very deep block. It's much more difficult to find openings in this type of defence."

Brazil coach Ancelotti named a strong side, including four forwards -- Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Estevao -- in his starting XI.

But Tunisia took a surprise lead midway through the first half when Ali Abdi's brilliant pass found Hazem Mastouri and the Dynamo Makhachkala striker kept his composure to slip the ball beyond onrushing Brazil goalkeeper Bento.

But Brazil were awarded a penalty by VAR for handball shortly before half-time, much to the disappointment of the thousands of Tunisian fans at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Estevao, who also scored on Saturday against Senegal, stepped up to net his fifth international goal.

Brazil were given another penalty with 12 minutes remaining, but substitute Paqueta took over spot-kick duties from Estevao and smashed his effort over the crossbar.

Brazil thought they should have been awarded a third penalty in the 89th minute when Estevao went down, but the referee stuck with his original decision to wave play on despite a VAR review.