Pitso Mosimane’s Esteghlal secured their place in the Hazfi Cup Round of 16 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mes Kerman at the Shahr-e Qods Stadium.
Despite being favored to win, The Capital Blues faced a determined Mes Kerman side in a fiercely contested match. While both teams created chances in the first half, the score remained 0-0 at the break.
The breakthrough came early in the second half when Jaloliddin Masharipov set up Gustavo Blanco to score the decisive goal. Esteghlal’s task was made more difficult when Arash Rezavand was sent off for a second caution, but they managed to hold on for the win.
This victory marks a significant turnaround for Esteghlal, who had endured a three-match losing streak in the Persian Gulf Pro League. As Esteghlal awaits their Round of 16 opponents, the positive momentum gained from recent performances will be crucial for their continued success.