Wales Goalkeeper Hennessey Bags First Red Card in 2022 World Cup After Head High Karate Kick Versus Iran

• Wayne Hennessey was dismissed from a World Cup game following a head-high karate kick
• Wales' goalkeeper was initially shown yellow, but this was upgraded to red after a VAR review
• Hennessey has now become the first player to be sent off at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey bagged the first red card of the Qatar World Cup, after a karate high-head kick had him sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Iran.

Hennessey was sent off for clattering into Iran’s Mehdi Taremi outside the area late in the match, after rushing off his 18-yard box to prevent the attacker from reaching a through ball.

According to Caught Offside, the Wales goalkeeper came off his line to meet the Iran attacker, before proceeding to perform a 'karate kick' against the striker’s head.

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The 35-year-old goalkeeper was initially given a yellow card, but that was upgraded to red in the 86th minute after the intervention of the video assistant referee (VAR).

Video footage of Hennessey's tackle:

Hennessey will now miss Wales’ must-win match against England, as Rob Page’s team hope to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup.

Wales concede late against Iran

Meanwhile, ten-man Wales suffered World Cup heartbreak, as two goals deep in second-half stoppage time sealed a 2-0 victory for Iran, Sky Sports reports.

Wales' defense was finally broken by Roozbeh Cheshmi's incredible goal in the eighth minute of added time, after goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had been shown a red card.

Ramin Rezaeian then added a second goal for Iran with what was essentially the game's final kick, finishing off another quick counter-attack with a clinical finish over substitute goalkeeper Danny Ward.

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Iran players jeered by supporters

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on the Iranian national team feeling their supporters' wrath, after the players decided to no longer protest against their government.

Prior to their World Cup group opener against England on Monday, the Iranian team stood in silence as their anthem was played, in protest against the country’s current regime.

The Persian Stars sang along ahead of kick-off against Wales, with a large number fans in attendance heard booing and whistling at their backtracking.