Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei lauded Mehdi Taremi’s impact after the Inter Milan striker scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Since joining the Italian side from Porto on a free transfer last summer, Taremi has struggled with injury, but his two goals in Tehran were crucial.
“Great players must help technically and physically,” Ghalenoei added.
Taremi, who plays for a fantastic team and is out of shape, played for the people even though he could have missed the season.
“He became the best player on the field and I am happy that, in most games, he is the best player on the field from the Iranian national team.”
Taremi’s first goal at the Azadi Stadium was a 52nd-minute volley that cancelled out Hojimat Erkinov’s 16th-minute opener.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev regained Uzbekistan’s lead a minute later, but Mehdi Taremi scored from close range seven minutes from time to give Iran the point they needed to qualify for the North American finals. The 32-year-old missed Iran’s 2-0 win over the UAE on Thursday owing to illness, and groin ailments have hampered his Milan season.
He has started only 14 times since joining Italy following five seasons as a prolific scorer for Rio Ave and Porto in Portugal, but his performance on Tuesday helped Iran qualify for a fourth straight World Cup.
With their spot secured, Ghalenoei wants to lead Iran into the enlarged World Cup knockout rounds for the first time. Iran has only won three of 18 finals matches in six appearances.
“Qualification was difficult,” remarked Ghalenoei. “Look at the capabilities of other teams and you will see that the players were able to achieve this qualification through difficult circumstances.”
