Iraq wins first home match since 2003 invasion

Iraq won the first international football match in the country since the US-led invasion in 2003, beating the Palestinian national football team 3-0 in a friendly on Friday.

The opening goal in the game at Francois Hariri stadium in the northern city of Arbil, in Iraq’s autonomous region of Kurdistan, was let in by Palestinian player Hussam Fadi in the 20th minute.

Yunus Mahmud struck Iraq’s second in the 55th minute and Luay Falah completed Iraq’s evening with a 90th minute goal.

The two sides will meet again on Monday in Baghdad’s al-Shaab stadium.