ROBBIE SAVAGE has been ridiculed after claiming “it’s only Iran” and that even he could “win a game of football” against Carlos Queiroz’s side before Wales’ embarrassing defeat.
Rob Page’s men were humbled by the Iranian national team after losing 2-0 at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and are now facing a mountain to climb to reach the World Cup Last 16.
The Dragons capitulated after Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off on 86 minutes.
Iran then opened the scoring with Rouzbeh Cheshmi in the eighth minute of stoppage time before Ramin Rezaeian completed the upset victory just three minutes later.
Savage, 48, was left with egg on his face as he was adamant on Monday that Wales would destroy Iran.
The former Leicester ace even insisted his non-league club Macclesfield would beat Queiroz’s men.
Savage told co-host Chris Sutton while presenting 606 on BBC Radio: “It’s only Iran… Iran were terrible, terrible, and you think Wales will finish bottom?
“I could still play against Iran now and win a game of football. Iran are that bad I think Wales and USA will beat Iran.
“I’ve watched all the TV coverage, Iran were useless. Macclesfield would beat Iran.”
Sutton warned against underestimating Iran and was proven right as Wales’ chances of World Cup qualification hang in the balance after previously drawing 1-1 with USA.
The ex-Chelsea ace took to social media after the game and gave his co-host a slice of humble pie.
Sutton tweeted: “‘It’s only Iran’ @RobbieSavage8 said the other night. So disrespectful. Iran deserved this by far the better team. Wales have been schooled. Well played Iran.”
Savage responded with a Welsh flag and sad emoji: “Looking forward to 606 tonight.”
More fans took to Twitter to give the famous pundit a piece of their mind.
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One fan tweeted: “Robbie Savage spent the night after the first round of group matches utterly disrespecting the footballing ability of Iran. Repeatedly. On national BBC radio. Life is good.”
Another posted: “I’ll be interested to hear Robbie Savage talk about this Wales performance given how he could not stop saying how awful Iran were after they played England.”
A third wrote: “Just wondering if Iran are still the worst team in the competition @RobbieSavage8.”
This fan said: “A very disrespectful comment from Savage. This was always going to be a tough game for both nations.
“Unlucky Wales, you couldn’t fault their effort, but this was Iran’s day and they absolutely deserved the win.”
And that one tweeted: “Bet Robbie Savage regrets saying how s**t Iran are on 606 now.”
