Iran upset Germany to make last 16

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:40 am
Iranian players celebrate after defeating Germany in their U17 World Cup match on Tuesday.
Boris Streubel - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Iran stunned Germany 4-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, to qualify for the knockout round of the U-17 World Cup on Tuesday. Younes Delfi (6th and 42th), Allahyar Sayyad (49th) and Vahid Namdari (75th) scored for the winners.

Iran, who had adopted a defensive approach in their last match, chose to play an attacking game and the move paid off early as they took the lead in the sixth minute when Delfi's shot deflected from rival defender Jan Boller's leg and found the net.

Delfi scored again in the 42nd minute with a glancing header from a free kick taken by Mohammed Sharifi.

The Iranian defence held firm and did not allow the Germans any space to operate inside the danger zone. The Germans had one chance to score in the dying minutes of the first half but John Yeboah's shot went over the bar from close.

In the 49th minute, Delfi made a good move on the right and sent a cross that Sayyed headed into the net.

Substitute Vahid Namdari then shot home from close with a quarter of an hour remaining to complete the rout in the Group C match.