Head Over Heels

Iran’s Bizarre Throw-In Moment at the 2018 World Cup

In the dying moments of a decisive World Cup group match, with millions watching and his team desperately looking for an equaliser, Milad Mohammadi steps forward. He plants a kiss on the ball, gestures to the heavens, takes a deep breath and prepares to launch a throw-in towards the penalty area. Bizarrely, what happens next sees the defender end up head over heels on the sideline.

This was the 2018 World Cup in Russia and underdogs Iran were holding their own against a Spanish side packed full of world class talent. They had defended admirably and, despite going behind to a fortunate deflected goal, had a chance to salvage a result. With added time ticking away, Iran won a throw deep in the Spanish half.

Mohammadi, a dynamic wing back, saw an opportunity. He backed up and took a few seconds to ready himself. Then he made his move: a forwards somersault, attempting to generate extra power through his body’s momentum. However, mid-flip, he appeared to reconsider, aborting the manoeuvre before the ball left his fingertips.

Instead of launching the ball into Spain’s penalty area, he landed awkwardly, adjusted his stance and sheepishly took a more conventional throw-in. Iran’s late pressure ultimately amounted to nothing and the Spaniards left Kazan with all three points.

The aborted throw-in became a viral clip in the immediate aftermath of the match, presented as a comedic moment. But why did Mohammadi even attempt it?

Well the flip throw-in isn’t just a gimmick, believe it or not. When executed properly, the technique can add significantly more power, giving a throw the trajectory of a driven cross or a long free kick. With Iran getting increasingly desperate, Mohammadi may have seen it as a way to make Spain’s defenders squirm under pressure right in front of their net and allow a teammate to take advantage of the chaos.

Whether it was nerves getting the better of him, an awkward grip on the ball or a realisation that the execution wasn’t perfect, Mohammadi’s decision to abort mid-move suggests a sudden crisis of confidence. With time running out, he decided to take the safe option instead.

While Milad Mohammadi wasn’t known for using flashy set piece techniques, he could have been practicing it in the Iranian training camp. A World Cup is a high-stakes stage, but also an opportunity for players to write their name into the history books. Unfortunately for Mohammadi, this moment became memorable for all the wrong reasons.

While this failed attempt will forever be a fixture of funny World Cup moments compilations, the move itself is no joke. Several players have successfully deployed it in competitive games - most notably in Iran’s domestic league. Nader Mohammadi, who shares no relation to Milad despite the name, has since made it his trademark.

While playing for Paykan FC in the Persian Gulf Pro League, Nader became a sensation for his slightly more successful flip throw-ins. Unlike Milad’s hesitant effort, Nader’s were executed with complete confidence and impressive precision, launching the ball deep into opposition boxes. His throws routinely covered a distance of 30-40 metres while arcing through the air. On more than one occasion, they directly created goals.

To his credit, Milad Mohammadi didn’t let the 2018 incident define his career. He has since enjoyed successful spells in European football, playing for clubs in Turkey and Greece while remaining a key man for Iran’s national team.