GREATEST GAMES

1997Iran November 22 1-1 Australia

128,000 fans were in attendance to witness the first leg of Iran’s AFC-OFC 1998 World Cup qualification play-off versus Australia. Ex-Leeds United and Liverpool winger Harry Kewell gave Australia an early lead, but Khodadad Azizi equalised before half-time. After the second leg finished 2-2, Iran qualified for their first World Cup since 1978 on away goals.

2000 December 29 Persepolis 2-2 Esteghlal

Possibly the most chaotic clash in the derby’s history; in his first game since controversially moving between the two sides, Esteghlal defender Mehdi Hasheminasab scored late on to give his new team a 2-1 lead, only for Persepolis to equalise two minutes later. At full-time, tensions spilled over – fighting broke out on the pitch, fans destroyed 250 city buses, and 60 people were arrested – including three players from each side.

2019Iran October 10 14-0 Cambodia

Iran thrashed Cambodia 14-0 in their first home qualifier for the 2022 World Cup, on the day that women were officially allowed into the Azadi for the first time in 40 years. It was the first time women were allowed to buy tickets on general sale, but they were still restricted to their own section.