World Cup: Iranian player botches flip throw-in

June 21 (UPI) — Iran’s Milad Mohammadi’s first flip throw-in attempt at the 2018 World Cup didn’t go so well.

The winger subbed into a match in the 69th minute against Spain, replacing Ehsan Hajsafi. Iran ended up losing the game 1-0 Wednesday at Kazan Arena in Kazan Russia.

Mohammadi was prompted to the sideline in the 94th minute after the ball went out of bounds. He prepared for a long throw-in into the Spain box, attempting to tie the game.

The winger kissed the ball and pointed to the sky, before running up and pushing it onto the ground while going into a roll. But instead of finishing the move when he landed, he held up.

A referee whistled him for an illegal throw, but waved off the call when he realized that Mohammadi never let the ball go. Instead, the Iranian ran back to his spot and threw the ball in normally.

In addition to the embarrassment of a failed flip throw-in, Mohammadi also wasted crucial time for his team at the end of regulation in the Group B loss.

Iran’s final Group B match comes against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at 2 p.m. Monday at Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia. The Iranians are 1-1 in the group stage.