New Delhi: Iraq thrashed Palestine 4-0 in a friendly on Monday, the first game to be held in Baghdad since the US-led invasion in 2003.
The two teams met in the Kurdish city of Arbil last Friday as the national team returned home for its first match for seven years.
That ended in a 3-0 victory for the Asian champions, and Monday’s result was similar.
Then, Hawar Mullah Mohammed broke the deadlock, and he did so again in front of 50,000 fans at the Al-Shaab Stadium, scoring after 25 minutes.
Karras Jasim added a second 13 minutes after the restart, and Ala Abdel made it three with 18 minutes remaining.
There was still time in the dying seconds for Emad Mohammed to score a fourth from the spot.
Iraqi FA officials were delighted with the match and the fact that it passed without incident.
“We hope that this match will make the FIFA officials think of lifting the ban on holding matches in Baghdad,” Najih Hamoud.
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