Mehdi Taremi was the second-half saviour as Iran twice came from behind to snatch a qualification-securing 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan.

Team Melli went into the match knowing that they only needed to avoid defeat to become the latest team to secure their place at the 2026 finals. However, Uzbekistan, who would have qualified for the first time with a win, silenced the Azadi by taking a 16th-minute lead when Khojimat Erkinov punished some poor Iranian defending.

The hosts piled on the pressure as half-time approached, and twice Sardar Azmoun found himself in good shooting positions only to fire wastefully wide. His attacking partner showed him the way to goal early in the second half, when Taremi unleashed a stunning, unstoppable volley into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

The Iran fans erupted and yet, within a minute, they were stunned into silence once again when Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s inswinging free-kick from the left evaded everyone on its way into the far corner of the net. But anyone thinking that an Uzbek fairy tale was unfolding reckoned without Taremi.

With seven minutes remaining, the Iran talisman popped up with another priceless goal, reacting first to a ricochet inside the box to prod the ball home and spark wild celebrations in Tehran and far beyond.