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Iranwire – Iran defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in a World Cup qualifying match on Thursday that was interrupted by a 30-minute power outage at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
The floodlights partially failed during the first half, forcing the South Korean referee to stop play and send both teams to their locker rooms.
Stadium officials blamed the blackout on rainfall.
Sardar Azmoun scored in first-half stoppage time after play resumed, and Mohammad Mohebi added a second goal in the 70th minute.
The power failure occurred despite Azadi Stadium receiving a 1,400 billion toman ($14.3 million) renovation by the IRGC Construction Headquarters in 2024.
Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, criticized the rainfall explanation as “nothing but an excuse.”
Iranian media also reported other ongoing problems at the renovated stadium, including deteriorating seating, poor pitch quality, water leaking from the ceiling, and flooding in the locker rooms.
