'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Iran have made Asia proud in Russia
Out of the five teams to qualify from Asia, Iran were tasked with arguably the most difficult challenge in terms of progression after being slated alongside Spain and Portugal in Group B.
In fact, they weren't expected to get on the board at all with Morocco heavy favourites to get three points in the opener. Not only did they beat the odds, they also beat the Moroccans in the opening fixture. They were exceptional in defence against Spain and it was an unfortunate goal that saw them lose to the Europeans, before going on to hold Portugal.
Inches away from qualification and topping the group, Iran will be left gutted at their inability to make the difference when it mattered the most. But they have not only made their country proud but also all of Asia proud, as they went toe-to-toe with the best in the game and surely held their own. Plenty to be hopeful about for a nation only beginning to make a name for themselves in world football.
