TEHRAN – Esteghlal football team snatched a late win over Shams Azar in Matchweek 1 of the 2024/25 Iran’s Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) Friday night.

Arman Ramezani scored for the visiting team in the 55th minute and Amirmohammad Nesaei leveled the score from the penalty spot with one minute remaining.

Mohammadhossein Eslami scored the winner in the dying moments of the match.

In Isfahan, Sepahan defeated newly-promoted Chadormalu 3-1, Tractor beat Mes 2-0 in Kerman, Havadar lost to newly-promoted Kheybar 1-0 in Tehran, and Foolad edged past Nassaji in Ghaemshahr.

On Thursday, defending champions Persepolis were held to a 1-1 draw by Zob Ahan, Malavan edged past Gol Gohar 1-0 in Bandar Anzali and Esteghlal Khuzestan were held to a goalless draw against Aluminum in Ahvaz.