Al Karkh 3-2 Naft Missan: Late Winner Settles Five-Goal Thriller in Iraq Stars League

Al Karkh claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Naft Missan in the Iraq Stars League on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in a match that swung one way and then the other before a late strike decided it. Played under the lights at Al Karkh Stadium in Baghdad, the home side raced into a two-goal lead, saw it wiped out by a spirited Naft Missan comeback, and then found a winner in the closing stages to send their supporters home happy.

The result gives Al Karkh a valuable three points in the early part of the Iraq Stars League season and hands Naft Missan a painful defeat after they had fought their way back into the contest. For neutral fans, it was everything a top-flight Iraqi fixture should be: end-to-end attacking, midfield battles, and a finish that kept the outcome in doubt until the final whistle.

Match Overview

From the opening minutes, Al Karkh looked the more settled side. Playing in front of their home crowd, they pressed high and forced Naft Missan into a series of hurried clearances. The breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute when Ali Bahjat latched onto a clever through ball and slotted past the goalkeeper with composure. The early goal set the tone: Al Karkh were sharp, direct, and hungry to impose themselves.

Naft Missan responded with flashes of quality on the counter, but they struggled to keep possession for long spells. Al Karkh doubled their advantage in the 34th minute through Hussein Ali, who arrived at the back post to convert a low cross from the right. At 2-0, the home side appeared to be cruising, but Naft Missan had other ideas.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Karrar Mohammed pulled one back for the visitors, finishing neatly after a quick break caught Al Karkh's defence off guard. That goal changed the mood entirely and gave Naft Missan a lifeline going into the interval.

Key Moments

• 12' – Goal, Al Karkh: Ali Bahjat opens the scoring with a composed finish after a defence-splitting pass.
• 34' – Goal, Al Karkh: Hussein Ali doubles the lead, turning in a cross from close range.
• 45+2' – Goal, Naft Missan: Karrar Mohammed halves the deficit with a well-taken counter-attacking goal.
• 67' – Goal, Naft Missan: Sajjad Raheem equalises, finishing off a sustained spell of pressure.
• 78' – Goal, Al Karkh: Ali Bahjat scores his second of the night, restoring the home side's lead.

The second half was a different story. Naft Missan came out with renewed intensity, pushing their full-backs higher and committing more bodies forward. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Sajjad Raheem found space at the edge of the box and fired a low shot into the corner to make it 2-2. For a moment, it looked as though the visitors might go on to win it.

But Al Karkh regained their composure, and in the 78th minute, Ali Bahjat struck again. Picking up the ball on the left side of the penalty area, he cut inside onto his right foot and curled a precise effort beyond the goalkeeper. It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and it proved to be the decisive moment.

Tactical Story

Al Karkh set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1, looking to dominate the middle third through quick combinations and overlapping runs. Their first-half performance was built on aggressive pressing, with the front four cutting off Naft Missan's passing lanes and forcing turnovers high up the pitch. The early goals came directly from that approach.

Naft Missan, by contrast, started cautiously, sitting in a mid-block and looking to spring counter-attacks through their pacey wide players. After going two goals down, they adjusted their shape, pushing one of their holding midfielders higher and targeting the space behind Al Karkh's advancing full-backs. That tactical shift turned the game into a genuine contest and produced their two goals.

The final 20 minutes were a test of nerve. Al Karkh's coach responded by tightening the midfield, bringing on fresh legs to protect the lead. Naft Missan threw numbers forward in search of a third equaliser, but the home defence held firm, clearing several dangerous crosses and blocking shots in the closing minutes.

Standout Players

Ali Bahjat was the obvious hero for Al Karkh, scoring twice and constantly threatening with his movement between the lines. His second goal was the highlight of the night, a moment of individual quality that settled a tense affair. Hussein Ali also impressed, not only for his first-half goal but for his tireless running and link-up play on the right flank.

For Naft Missan, <