The anniversary of Iran’s victory against Australia and promotion to the 1998 World Cup: the day when all Iranians were happy + memorable pictures

November 29, 1997, equal to December 8, 1997, was one of the most historic nights of Iranian football. The Iranian national team was able to advance to the World Cup again after 20 years with a 2-2 draw against Australia in Melbourne. This climb was not only a sporting success, but also became a national celebration and filled the streets of Iran with joy until the morning.

On December 8, 1404, it is the anniversary of one of the biggest and most memorable football nights in Iran; The night when the Iranian national team was able to enter the World Cup again after two decades with a 2-2 draw against Australia in Melbourne. This historic event took place on November 29, 1997 and drew millions of Iranians to the streets to experience unprecedented collective happiness and create a lasting memory in the national memory.

The story started from the 1998 World Cup qualifying playoffs; Where Iran, as the representative of Asia, and Australia, as the champion of Oceania, had to face each other in two round-robin matches. The first leg was held at Azadi Stadium in Tehran with the presence of more than 120 thousand passionate spectators. Australia took the lead with Harry Kewell’s goal in the first half, but at the beginning of the second half, Karim Bagheri scored the equalizing goal with a strong and accurate shot. The result was 1-1 and all eyes were on the return match in Melbourne; The meeting that determined the fate of Iran’s ascension.

The following week, on December 8, 2016, the Grand Melbourne Cricket Stadium hosted the return match with the presence of 85,000 excited spectators. Australia took the lead with two goals from Harry Kewell and Aurelio Vidmar until the 48th minute, and many thought that this team’s qualification to the World Cup was certain. But Iran turned the page in less than three minutes and wrote history. First, Karim Bagheri reduced the difference with a precise shot in the 77th minute, and then Khodadad Azizi scored Iran’s second goal in the 80th minute with a historic escape and a perfect shot. The result was 2-2 and Iran went to the French World Cup thanks to the home goal rule. The rise is known as one of the most dramatic moments of Iranian football.

This moment plunged the Melbourne stadium into a heavy silence, but Iran was overwhelmed with joy and excitement. The streets of Tehran and major cities of the country were full of celebrations and stomping until the morning and people showed their happiness with national flags and slogans. For many, this climb was not just a sporting achievement; Rather, it was a symbol of hope, unity and national pride that brought the Iranian national team back to the biggest football event in the world after 20 years away. The names of players like Karim Bagheri and Khodadad Azizi were forever in the history of Iranian football and that night remained as one of the unforgettable memories of Iranian sports.