Iran vs Nigeria LIVE: Friendly latest score, match stream, goal updates and fan reaction | OneFootball

Team Melli face the Super Eagles in Turkey

Star: Alex Iwobi

AFP via Getty Images

Iran were among the first teams to book their place at the summer tournament, but ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including co-hosts USA, have seen them heavily suggest that they will play no part. With three group games scheduled on US soil, Iran have cited security concerns should they travel to north America. This is their first fixture since the conflict began.

Nigeria, meanwhile, lost to DR Congo last year to end their hopes of being one of the 48 teams competing across the USA, Canada and Mexico in July and July. They have recovered some pride with a third-place finish at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, but the road to redemption will be long. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis.

Live updates

31 seconds ago

Iran 0-1 Nigeria

37min: Not a huge crowd at the Mardan Sports Complex, but the TV cameras continue to pan to one, very interested, you fan in the stands.

7 minutes ago

Iran 0-1 Nigeria

30min: Ghoddos wins a free kick on the right flank, it’s floated in towards Nemati, Osayi-Samuel heads clear.

16 minutes ago

Iran 0-1 Nigeria

21min: Another fantastic drive into the area by Simon, who has started this game so brightly, but Ghoddos is on hand to boot the ball clear.

Nigeria enjoying a sustained period of possession.

19 minutes ago

Iran 0-1 Nigeria

13min: It’s been a decent response from Iran since going behind, with Taremi just now getting around his mark on the right flank before bursting into the box, but no team-mate in a white shirt to pick out.

26 minutes ago

GOAL!

6min: It’s a dream start for Nigeria as Simon drills home!

The forward is spotted in space by Chukwueze, spins away from his marker and finds the bottom left-hand corner.

What a finish!

33 minutes ago

Kick-off!

1min: Here we go!

36 minutes ago

This is just the second time these two teams have met, after a goalless draw during the 2014 World Cup group stage.

59 minutes ago

The big news for Nigeria is that Osimhen is unavailable due to a broken arm, joining Bassey and Aina on the sidelines.

The uncapped trio of Otele, Sor and Fernandez are on the bench. Iwobi, so crucial from the recent Africa Cup of Nations, is set to earn his 98th cap.

1 hour ago

Confirmed starting XIs

Iran XI: Beyranvand, Nemati, Khalilzadeh, Kanani, Yousefi, Mohammadi, Ghoddos, Ghorbani, Mohebbi, Gholizadeh, Taremi

Nigeria XI: Okoye, Osayi, Ndidi, Ogbu, Ajayi, Akor, Chukwueze, Onyemaechi, Simon, Iwobi, Lookman, Adams

1 hour ago

Iran XI

And here’s how Iran line up!

Iran NT

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