Taremi helps Iran secure World Cup spot

Iran confirmed their qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday as Mehdi Taremi scored a second-half double to earn his side a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan in Tehran's Azadi Stadium in Group A of Asian preliminaries.

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Needing a point to join Japan among the Asian nations at the finals, the Iranians twice went behind only for Taremi to rescue his team and book their ticket for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Hojimat Erkinov put Uzbekistan ahead in the 16th minute, making the most of hesitation in the Iranian defence to slide his shot past Alireza Beiranvand.

But seven minutes later the second-half substitute, Yussufboy Bakayev's shot from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off Yassine Cheikhi and beyond Beiranvand and across the line.

Taremi, however, bailed out his team again with seven minutes remaining, pouncing on a bouncing ball inside the six-yard box to score.