Iran on the verge of World Cup qualification after UAE win

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF IRAN BEATING THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 2-0 IN SOCCER WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SHOTLIST AND SCRIPT

SHOWS: TEHRAN, IRAN (MARCH 20, 2025) (AFC - See restrictions before use)

IRAN (WHITE SHIRTS) V UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (GREEN SHIRTS)

1. BOTH TEAMS WALKING OUT

2. IRAN COACH, AMIR GHALENOEI

3. BOTH CAPTAINS AND MATCH OFFICIALS POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS

FIRST HALF

4. IRAN FORWARD, SARDAR AZMOUN, CHESTS THE BALL TO WINGER, MOHAMMAD MOHEBI, BUT HIS SHOT FROM CLOSE RANGE IS SAVED BY UAE GOALKEEPER, KHALID EISA

5. EISA REACTING AFTER MAKING THE SAVE

6. REPLAY OF MOHEBI'S CHANCE

7. UAE STRIKER, CAIO LUCAS, NARROWLY FIRING A SHOT PAST THE POST

8. CAIO REACTING

9. GOAL 1-0 IRAN / IRAN MIDFIELDER, SAMAN GHODDOS, CROSSES THE BALL TO AZMOUN WHO HEADS HOME

10. AZMOUN CELEBRATING

11. CROWD CHEERING

12. IRAN TEAM CELEBRATING

13. VARIOUS REPLAYS OF THE GOAL

SECOND HALF

14. GOAL 2-0 IRAN / MOHEBI BURSTS THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND SCORES PAST EISA

15. MOHEBI CELEBRATING

16. VARIOUS REPLAYS OF THE GOAL

17. IRAN FANS CHEERING AND HOLDING FLAGS

18. IRAN GOALKEEPER, ALIREZA BEIRANVAND, AFTER THE MATCH

19. IRAN PLAYERS CONGRATULATING EACH OTHER

STORY: Iran moved closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win against the United Arab Emirates in Tehran on Thursday (March 20).

The hosts opened the scoring after a clever ball from midfielder Saman Ghoddos was headed home from close range by Sardar Azmoun, before Mohammad Mohebi sealed the victory with a driving run and finish past UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa.

Iran are now just a point away from booking their ticket to the World Cup with their sixth win of the campaign keeping them top of Group A.

Amir Ghalenoei's side will confirm their spot at the tournament as long as they avoid defeat against Uzbekistan on Tuesday (March 25).

(Production: Henry Rounce)