Almoez Ali's late strike helped Qatar reach the final of the AFC Asian Cup and continue their title defence with victory over Iran.

Hosts Qatar led after goals from Jassem Gaber and Akram Afif cancelled out Sardar Azmoun's superb overhead opener.

A controversial penalty decision helped level the scores, but Ali's 82nd-minute strike and Shoja Khalilzadeh's late red card were fatal to Iran's final hopes.

Qatar will play underdogs Jordan in Saturday's final at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Jordan stunned South Korea on Tuesday to reach their first Asian Cup final.

Qatar are bidding to become the first team since Japan in 2000 and 2004 to win back-to-back Asian Cup titles.

Iran's semi-final got off to the perfect start when Azmoun leapt acrobatically to fire home a sensational overhead kick after Qatar failed to clear a long throw into their box.

Al Thumama Stadium erupted 13 minutes later, however, as Gaber's strike took a huge deflection off Saeid Ezatolahi and looped over goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

The equaliser caused outcry from the Iranian bench, who thought Mehdi Taremi had been fouled in the opposite box seconds earlier, and Mehdi Torabi was booked for demanding a penalty from the touchline.