Iran vs USA: It’s tough to focus on just football
On Wednesday, the United States and Iran will face off in the Qatar World Cup 2022. It will be challenging for the vast majority of the millions of viewers in Iran to concentrate just on the game. There are other factors at play besides merely the two countries’ strained political ties.
The two teams last faced off in France in 1998 at the World Cup. That was their first match against one another since Tehran and Washington severed ties following the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
However, any worries that tensions would manifest on the field were allayed when Iranian players presented their opponents with bouquets of white flowers and both teams posed for a team photo.
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Tehran residents rejoiced in the streets after Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia’s goals gave their team a 2-1 victory. Additionally, it was Iran’s first victory in a World Cup game.
Iran defeated Wales in thrilling fashion on Friday. The players received a much-needed boost from it after losing their opening match to England by a score of 6-2.