Wales star Wayne Hennessey suffers first red card of World Cup after horror karate-kick foul during Iran clash
WALES goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off against Iran for a karate kick foul.
The Nottingham Forest shot-stopper came flying out of his area and mistimed his attempt to beat Mehdi Taremi to the ball.
A RED CARD
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Wales are down to 10 men
Wayne Hennessey has been sent off after he wipes out Iran's Mehdi Taremi.Watch on @BBCiPlayer, listen on @BBCSounds & get more on the @BBCSport app#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup
Instead Hennessey took out the Iran No9 but was initially booked for the foul.
Referee Mario Escobar was told to look at the pitchside monitor and he overturned his decision to brandish a red card, with Hennessey sent off four serious foul play rather than preventing a goalscoring opportunity.
Hennessey is the first player to receive his marching orders at the World Cup and fans think he can have no complaints.
One supporter reacted to the tackle saying: “What the f*** is wrong with Danny Gabbidon? Keeps banging on about a defender covering. Hennessey’s kicked his f***ing head off!”
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Another added: “Wayne Hennessey been taking karate lessons.”
And a third said: “Damn that was stupid and unnecessary from Hennessey.”
Things went from bad to worse for Wales as Iran snatched a stoppage-time win thanks to goals from Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian.
And questions could be asked of Hennessey’s replacement Danny Ward as he was beaten from long range for the first.
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Wales’ World Cup dream is now hanging by a thread as defeat to England will see them exit the competition.
Meanwhile, Iran could progress to the knock out round for the first time ever if they beat USA.