Iran defeats UAE 2-0 in Asian qualifiers

Follow-up - INA

The Iranian national team achieved an important 2-0 victory over the UAE in today's match at Azadi Stadium, in the seventh round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The match began with an unexpected stoppage in the tenth minute, when one of the stadium's lighting towers suffered a technical malfunction, leading to a stoppage time of more than 25 minutes. After the malfunction was repaired, the match resumed, and the referee added 29 minutes of first-half stoppage time to compensate for the stoppage time.

Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun scored the first goal with a precise header, capitalizing on a tight cross from the right in first-half extra time.

In the second half, Iran extended their lead with a second goal in the 70th minute, scored by Mohammad Mahibi after a swift counterattack, dribbling past the UAE defense and firing a powerful shot into the net.

With this victory, Iran raised its tally to 19 points, strengthening its lead in Group A, while the UAE's tally remained at 10 points in third place, weakening its hopes of directly qualifying for the World Cup.