On Tuesday, Uzbekistan held the Iran national football team to a 2-2 draw in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
In the match at Tashkent’s Bunyodkor Stadium, Ramin Rezaeian scored the opening goal for Iran after 14 minutes. Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov was unable to save the ball from close range.
Mehdi Taremi extended the lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute.
In the second half, Uzbekistan outperformed and rallied from behind to secure a draw. Oston Urunov scored a goal in the 52nd minute, and with seven minutes left, Igor Sergeyev leveled the match.
The outcome implies that the teams will enter the next matchday, scheduled for March 2024, with equal points.
Iran had secured a 4-0 victory over Hong Kong on Thursday in Group E.
