Top-10 Facts About First US-Iran Football Match in 1998
Four days before this fateful match, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright proposed the establishment of bilateral relations between Iran and the United States.
Above: Mike Moscrop, left, from Orange County, Calif., poses with Amir Sieidoust, an Iranian supporter living in Holland outside the Gerlain Stadium in Lyon on Sunday, June 21, 1998, before the start of the USA vs Iran World Cup soccer match.
At the pre-match ceremony, Iranian players gave their American opponents white roses as a symbol of peace.
Above: US player Cobi Jones (2nd L) offers a bunch of flowers to Iranian Karim Bageri on June 21, 1998, at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, before the World Cup Group F first round match between Iran and the United States.
The Iranian left-wing opposition organization Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) bought most of the match tickets and brought fans to the stadium with political, non-football banners and photos (portraits of opposition leader Massoud Rajavi), which added spice to the game.
Above: Iranian supporters of the Iranian National Resistance Council (CNRI) displaying portraits of Mujahedeen leader and CNRI President Massoud Radjavi, cheer on June 21 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, before the 1998 Soccer World Cup Group F first round match between Iran and the United States.
To prevent riots in the stands, match organizers had to take unprecedented security measures.
Above: Security forces are posted in front of the stands as some Iranian opponents demonstrate at Gerland stadium on June 21 during the 1998 World Cup Group F first round match in Lyon, central France, between Iran and the United States. Iran won 2-1.
Journalists dubbed the Iran-US match at the 1998 World Cup “the most politicized game in World Cup history” and “the mother of all football matches.”
Above: USA and Iran's teams listen to their national anthems on June 21 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, before the 1998 World Cup Group F match between Iran and the United States.
Some politicians in Iran called the match “an encounter with the Evil Empire.”
Above: US midfielder Tab Ramos (C) is challenged by Iranian midfielder Karim Bagheri, as teammate Eddie Pope (L) looks on on June 21 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, during the 1998 World Cup Group F match between Iran and the United States.
Both teams were awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award.
Above: Iranian midfielder Hamid Estili jubilates after scoring for his team on June 21 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, during the 1998 World Cup Group F first round match between Iran and the United States. At halftime, Iran led 1-0.
Players from the two teams took a 22-person photo together before the match kicked off.
Above: USA and Iran pose together on June 21 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, before their 1998 World Cup Group F match.
Mehdi Mahdavikia's winning goal was named in Iran as the “goal of the century.”
Above: Iranian midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia runs on the field with the ball despite a tackle by US midfielder Tab Ramos (on the ground), June 21 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, during the 1998 Soccer World Cup Group F first round match between Iran and the United States.
The USA was nominally named the host and the Iranian team were the guests. According to FIFA rules, players of the visiting team approach the home team for a handshake before the game. However, contrary to the rules, the Americans were the first to approach the Iranian players and shake their hands.
Above: Iranian supporters display a placard on June 21 at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, before the 1998 World Cup Group F first round match between Iran and the United States.
