Gripping. Dramatic. Controversial referring decisions. A penalty shoot-out.
It wouldn’t be any other way for an Iran v Iraq encounter.
Everything that was hoped for from the hotly anticipated quarter-final at Canberra Stadium between two arch-rivals lived up to the billing, and then some.
Iraq booked its spot in the semi-finals after beating Iran 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out after scores were locked at 1-1 at full-time and 2-2 after 120 minutes.
The prize for Iraq is facing South Korea at Stadium Australia on Monday night for the right to play in the Asian Cup final.
But it’s difficult to know how much will be left in the tank – physically and emotionally – after the 18,921 fans in attendance witnessed one of the greatest games in this country.
Iraq defender Salam Shakir was the hero, converting the 16th shot of the penalty shoot-out to spark wild celebrations and send the 2007 champions into the final four.
In the penalty shoot-out, Iran defender Ehsan Safi blasted his shot over the bar to give the early advantage to the opposition, but that quickly disappeared as Saad Abdulameer sliced his shot wide and to the left.
Both sides were then perfect until Iran’s Vahid Amiry strike hit the bar and bounced away.
With scores locked 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, and again tied up at 2-2 in extra-time, a penalty in the 115th minute from Dhurgham Ismael appeared to send Iraq through to the final four.
Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji brought down Yaser Kasim inside the box, Australian referee Ben Williams having no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
But barely a minute later, substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad headed the ball home from a mad goal-mouth scramble to again get the 10 men of Iran back on level terms.
Williams had earlier earned the ire of Iran coach Carlos Quieroz after handing a second yellow card to defender Mehrdad Pooladi late in the first half.
Quieroz had to be physically restrained by one of his own substitute players from approaching Williams as he walked to the dressing rooms at half-time.
This wasn’t the first time Queiroz hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with Williams.
The former Real Madrid manager was also critical of Williams’ performance in his side’s 2-0 win against Bahrain in the group stage.
Having earlier picking up a caution for a strong challenge, Pooladi was booked again for an attempted tackle he made on Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hachim.
Iran was leading 1-0 at that point after striker Sardar Azmoun gave his side the lead in the 24th minute with a bullet header from close range.
Iraq captain Younis Mahmood gave Iraq the equaliser it so richly deserved in the 56th minute, pouncing on a rebound from Haghighi and calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Mahmood was the hero once again in extra-time, finding the back of the net in the 93rd minute.
Iraq was on top against a tiring Iran team in the warm conditions.
But any thought that the match was over were washed away as Iran defender Pouraliganji charged in with a towering header to the delirious delight of the Iran supporters.
Then came the dreaded shoot-out.
Both sets of supporters held their collective breathe as they waited to see which side cracked first.
It was just Iraq’s fifth win in 25 attempts against their arch-rivals.
For Iran, it continues a disappointing run at the Asian Cup.
The highest-ranked team in Asia hasn’t won the tournament since 1976.