Agency :
Iran showed they are not to be underestimated by England at the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Uruguay on Friday night.
The Three Lions begin their Qatar 2022 campaign against the Iranians on November 21 in what many consider a favourable draw for Gareth Southgate’s side.
However, while England got relegated from their Nations League group with a 1-0 defeat to Italy, Carlos Queiroz’s men proved they are no mugs by toppling a full-strength Uruguay side.
Substitute Mehdi Taremi scored in the 79th minute to spark wild scenes among his teammates at the NV Arena in Austria.
The Sky Blue were unable to break down Iran despite a front three containing Liverpool’s record signing Darwin Nunez, ex-Reds striker Luis Suarez and Manchester United starlet Facundo Pellistri.
In midfield, Uruguay boasted Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur, Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde and Lazio’s Matias Vecino.
Uruguay understandably dominated the match and lost Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo to injury after a minute.
But it is a winning start for ex-Manchester United assistant Queiroz in his second stint as Iran boss – and he would love to cause a similar upset against England at the World Cup.
The Portuguese spent five years alongside Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford over two separate spells.
