Savage expected Wales to breeze past Iran (Picture: Getty)

Chris Sutton has trolled Robbie Savage for the former Wales international’s ‘it’s only Iran’ comment with the Welsh now facing an early World Cup exit.

Following a 1-1 draw with United States in their group opener, Wales realistically needed at least a point to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition in Qatar.

But Robert Page’s side were undone by two late goals from Iran, who largely dominated the contest on Friday morning to seal a huge win.

Bottom of Group D, Wales’ hopes of reaching the last 16 now rely on a range of permutations and will need to beat England in the final group game on Tuesday.

Following the result, former Blackburn Rovers striker pounced on a comment made by Savage in the week, having been confident Wales would ease past Carlos Queiroz’s side.

‘I could still play against Iran now and win a game of football,’ he added. ‘Iran are that bad I think Wales and USA will beat Iran.’

And Sutton gleefully reminded Savage of his ‘disrespectful comments’, insisting Iran ‘schooled’ their opponents.

‘It’s only Iran Robbie Savage said the other night. So disrespectful,’ Sutton wrote. ‘Iran deserved this by far the better team/ Wales have been schooled. Well played Iran.’

Wales now need a minor miracle with Gareth Bale left to rue a disappointing performance from his side.

‘Gutting, there is no other way to say it, we fought until the last second,’ Bale said. ‘It’s one of those things that is difficult to take but we have to recover and go again.

‘We have to pick ourselves up straight away. It’s going to be difficult but we have one game left and we have to be positive and try enjoy the occasion.

‘It is going to be difficult for sure, it depends on the other game so we will see.’

Wales were reduced to 10 men in the final five minutes with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey sent off before substitute Roozbeh Cheshmi struck from 20 yards nine minutes into stoppage time.

Ramin Rezaeian finished off a counter-attack to seal the win.

‘I haven’t seen it so I don’t really know but obviously the red card changes the game completely,’ Bale said of the decision to send Hennessey off.

MORE : Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey receives first red card of World Cup 2022 for horror challenge

MORE : Iran players booed and jeered while singing national anthem ahead of Wales clash

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This one has come back to bite Savage…