Az-Zawra saw off Naft Misson 4-0 in the Iraqi League Regular Season third round on 25 August 2026. The hosts controlled proceedings from start to finish, with their clinical edge on display across all four goals. It was a day where the home side showed exactly why they sit second in the table.
L. Al Ani started the scoring sequence with a penalty miss at the 15th minute, then immediately converted his second attempt to level the spot-kick. To be fair, that kind of nervousness at the spot is rare for a player who would normally be expected to score. The moment set the tone for a match that would soon slip away from the visitors.
M. Qasim doubled the advantage in the 41st minute, capitalising on Az-Zawra's growing dominance. H. Ahmed then added a third just before the break at 45+3, catching Naft Misson's defence out of position. By then the visitors were chasing shadows, their attempts to impose themselves repeatedly thwarted.
Y. Aziz sealed the result at the 70th minute, ensuring there would be no late drama. The home side held their nerve throughout, showing composure when the game could have slipped. A fourth straight win for Az-Zawra would have been the headline, though this performance suggested they were simply building momentum.
Statistics tell the story: Az-Zawra registered 68 attacks with 54 per cent possession, compared to Naft Misson's 51 attacks and 46 per cent. The visitors managed six corners to the hosts' single, yet their lone shot on target went nowhere. On target, the disparity was even starker — six for Az-Zawra against just one for Naft Misson.
Discipline also favoured the home side, who picked up no yellow cards while the visitors collected four. In the standings, Az-Zawra remain second with eight points from four games, while Naft Misson sit 17th with three points after three draws and a defeat. The gap between them is widening, and this result did nothing to close it.