Iran on Tuesday became the second Asian side to secure a place at the FIFA World Cup after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran, handing organizers a likely diplomatic headache.
Iran, the second-highest ranked AFC side in the FIFA standings, needed only a point to join Japan in qualifying for the finals in the US, Canada and Mexico.
However, Iran would head to North America with relations strained as US President Donald Trump takes a hard line over opening new nuclear talks with Tehran.
Photo: AFP
The Group A leaders were made to work hard at the Azadi Stadium by upward-trending Uzbekistan, with Mehdi Taremi scoring seven minutes from time — his second of the match — to seal the point.
“We have to thank the fans who filled the stadium today, and thank God they did not leave empty-handed,” Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh said.
Third-placed United Arab Emirates defeated bottom team North Korea 2-1 to move four points behind Uzbekistan, while Asian champions Qatar are out of the running for automatic qualification after a 3-1 loss in Kyrgyzstan.
Photo: Reuters
Earlier on Tuesday, Australia beat China 2-0 to boost their chances of automatic qualification, but Saudi Arabia stayed in touch in Group C with a goalless draw in Japan.
In Asian Group B, Son Heung-min’s South Korea remain top and favorites to progress, but they put in another toothless performance as they were held at home for the second match in a row — this time 1-1 by Jordan.
Elsewhere, Argentina celebrated their World Cup qualification with a dazzling 4-1 thrashing of archrivals Brazil in Buenos Aires.
Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone sealed an emphatic win for the world champions, who had been assured of their World Cup berth after Bolivia’s 0-0 draw with Uruguay earlier on Tuesday.
That goalless stalemate ensured a festive atmosphere at the Monumental before a ball had been kicked and Argentina kept the party going with a blistering performance.
Additional reporting by AP
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