INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN - Mehdi Taremi scored twice as Iran clinched their berth at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a 2-2 stalemate with Uzbekistan in their
taking them to 20 points which assures them of their ticket to the United States, Canada and Mexico showpiece.Uzbekistan - on 17 points -
forwards Taremi and Sardar Azmoun combined in the ninth minute with the latter taking the former's pass on the run but sliced his shot
just wide, the-afc.com reported.Against the run of play, Uzbekistan found themselves ahead thanks to a surging run down the left from
Farrukh Sayfiev in the 16th minute, with his subsequent cross landing at the feet of Hojimat Erkinov who picked his spot in the bottom
corner past Alireza Beiranvand.Iran pushed for the equalizer with Mehdi Ghayedi forcing Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov into a block
before Azmoun stabbed wide after he was put through on goal with the home side building up pressure on the visitors.Another chance fell the
way of Azmoun in first half added time but once again the Shabab Al Ahli forward narrowly missed as Uzbekistan went into the break in
Khusanov was volleyed home by Taremi to the delight of the packed Azadi Stadium.Parity, however, only lasted a minute as Uzbekistan regained
pressure almost paid off in the 78th minute when Saeid Ezatolahi powered a header past Yusupov but found Khojiakbar Alijonov positioned
perfectly to block the effort.The home side were not to be denied five minutes later when substitute Ali Gholizadeh swung in a deep cross
which Uzbekistan failed to deal with, allowing Taremi the chance to steer in from close range to take Iran to a fourth consecutive FIFA
