Al-Masafi 4–3 Kadhimiya SC | Iraq Premier Division | 12 May 2026

In a breathtaking encounter at the Al-Masafi Stadium, the home side edged a seven-goal thriller against Kadhimiya SC, emerging 4-3 winners in an Iraq Premier Division contest that had everything: early goals, a stunning comeback, and a dramatic late winner. The result delighted the home fans and kept Al-Masafi’s slim title hopes alive, while Kadhimiya were left to wonder what might have been after squandering a two-goal lead.

Match Overview

Both teams came out attacking from the first minute, with no feeling-out period. Al-Masafi started brightly and took a 1-0 lead inside 10 minutes through a well-worked set piece. But Kadhimiya SC responded in devastating fashion, scoring twice in quick succession around the 20-minute mark to turn the game on its head. A long-range strike and a clinical counter-attack put the visitors 2-1 ahead, and they added a third before halftime to make it 3-1, leaving the home side shell-shocked.

The Comeback

Whatever Al-Masafi’s coach said in the dressing room worked wonders. The home side emerged for the second half with renewed energy and intensity. Within five minutes of the restart, they pulled one back after a defensive mix-up in the Kadhimiya box led to a simple tap-in. The momentum shifted completely, and Al-Masafi equalised in the 65th minute through a spectacular volley from outside the area that flew into the top corner.

With the scores level at 3-3, both teams pushed for a winner. Chances came and went at both ends, but it was Al-Masafi who struck the decisive blow in the 82nd minute. A fast break down the right wing ended with a low cross that was turned home at the near post, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters. Kadhimiya threw bodies forward in stoppage time, but Al-Masafi’s defence held firm.

Key Talking Points

• Resilience of Al-Masafi – Falling 3-1 behind against a strong side like Kadhimiya could have ended the game, but the hosts showed tremendous character to fight back and win.
• Kadhimiya's defensive lapses – After a near-perfect first half, the visitors switched off after the break and paid the ultimate price.

Standout Players

• Al-Masafi's No. 10 – Scored once and assisted twice, orchestrating the second-half revival with his vision and creativity.
• Kadhimiya's winger – Caused constant problems in the first half, scoring one and setting up another before the hosts tightened up.

League Implications

Al-Masafi’s win moves them to second place in the Iraq Premier Division, narrowing the gap to the leaders to just three points. Kadhimiya SC, meanwhile, remain in mid-table but have now lost three of their last four matches, raising questions about their consistency. With the title race heating up, Al-Masafi will look to build on this momentum in their next fixture against a direct rival.