Previous performances of the Iraqi national football team were celebrated by large crowds on the streets of Baghdad and other major cities, but regardless of these manifestations extremists carried out two bomb attacks in Baghdad, killing at least 50 persons.

A curfew was imposed in the embattled city of Karbala, while the vehicle ban will go into effect at 10:30 GMT.

The Asian Cup’s final will kick-off in Jakarta two hours later between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, two teams that managed to surpass any expectations and play the last match of Asia's top football tournament.

Sunnis and Shiites form the young team that fought for a common goal and ousted titled teams like Australia and South Korea to set up a standoff with the Saudis. The young men offered people across the country a motive to celebrate together, regardless of differences or ethnical appurtenance.

“We are shouldering our responsibility to bring hope to the Iraqi people. We know that by winning we can make the Iraqi people happy. Reaching the final is not enough, our ambition is to win the title,” striker Younis Mahmoud said before the match in a motivating speech.

Also, authorities made an appeal to all persons not to form large groups that could become targets for terrorist attacks and cast a shade on a national celebration.