Iran 14-0 Cambodia as women return to stadium after 40 years
The international match was an historic one, not because of what was going on on the pitch, but for who was filling up the stands off it.
Update:
Not since 1981 had Iranian women been allowed to enter a stadium in their home country, but on Thursday 10 October, that changed.
All Iran's football fans are back
Long before the Iran and Cambodia men's teams took to the field for their World Cup 2022 qualifier, the stands of Tehran's Azadi Stadium were filling up, or at least one section of it. The area allocated to around 3,000 women (tickets were limited) was full, unlike the rest of the venue, and they were able to celebrate as Iran scored early, then continued to score in what was a one-sided affair that finished 14 (FOURTEEN) - 0.
But it was the historic steps being taken by the Iranian authorities, under a lot of international pressure, that had everyone talking.