England could face Iran throw-in legend who delivered World Cup's most bizarre moment

And as England prepare to face Iran in their 2022 World Cup opener in Qatar, there is one man they should fear more than any other.

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He is the the Roly-Poly Persian, the Iranian Contortionist, the Tuck-And-Roll Throw-in Guy. Above all, he is our saviour and hero.

Everyone remembers where they were when it happened.

It only took a three-second exhibition of daring gymnastics and a willingness to accept forever being known as the bloke who did the roly-poly throw-in against Spain.

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Context is almost irrelevant, but Mohammadi did not pick any ordinary moment. That's not his style.

No, this was Iran chasing an equaliser against Spain at the World Cup in the last minute of the game, with 17 seconds left on the clock and time standing still.

The Middle-Eastern minnows had given the likes of Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta one hell of a scare, even seeing a goal controversially disallowed.

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Their footballing reputation was already immeasurably enhanced and only something truly bonkers could overshadow their brave performance.

Iran won a throw-in and handed the ball to Mohammadi. It looked like the most important moment of his life.

Overcome by a sense of destiny and possessed by the spirit of Rory Delap, the left-back kisses the ball and points to the sky as his teammates flood the box. The Gods are with him.

Forty-five million Spaniards are clinging on to victory. Eighty-five million Iranians are willing the ball into the penalty area. He stands in front of sport's biggest names, all fearing what he will do next. The world is watching.

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His task was simple: throw the football onto the onrushing bonce of a big man.

Instead, he did a roly-poly.

The planet fell silent. Did he just… no, he can't have. But he did. He performed a literal forward roll and, having destroyed the very momentum he was trying to build, failed to release the ball.

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Even better was that, on the second attempt, after what we can only guess was a stern word from a bemused referee, he throws it short.

We have all seen those viral clips of mega, super-human throw-ins, launched upon exit from a somersault. Maybe you've even witnessed a real life one in Sunday League. This, however, was not that.

Iran did not find their equaliser, but they did discover a cultural phenomenon.

And his legendary status meant there was no way manager Carlos Queiroz could leave him out of the 2022 World Cup squad.

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He is not a regular starter these days, more of a vibes man, inspiring the camp with his sheer presence.

But you can be sure of one thing. When England are inevitably protecting a narrow lead in the dying moments on November 21, the sidelines will suddenly become steeped in fear and dread.

For Mohammadi, sitting there in his cape, will be waiting to right the wrongs of 2018.

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