Iran was right in the face of Mexico for 76 minutes from the start of this match.
Then an absolutely tragic pair of blunders that opened the floodgates and drowned the Iranians.
The start of the match had Iran blasting several nice shots at the Mexican goal, especially two 11th minute chances that should have resulted in a score.
Their shots were coming in from distance and closer range.
But it was the Mexicans who scored first.
The scintillating 28th minute goal came from a beautifully taken Pavel Pardo free kick slotted to Guillermo Franco, who headed it neatly directly to the waiting foot of Omar Bravo at the far post.
Bravo hit the close ranger first time into goal.
The sequence was executed so well that it appeared a set play.
The Iranians didn't wait long to equalize.
Eight minutes on, Yahya Golmohammadi latched on to a corner kick and sent it past keeper Oswaldo Sanchez and into the back of the net.
Iran were fortunate to escape a penalty in the 58th minute when a heavy challenge from Iranian Yahya Golmohammadi in the box went unnoticed.
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The teams were battling neck and neck until a dark, dreadful moment in minute 76.
A sickening pair of consecutive defensive errors by Iran handed the match to Mexico.
Iran keeper Ebrahim Mirzapour miskicked a simple ball, giving it directly to the Mexicans close to the area.
Rahman Rezaei however was able to regain control of it for the Iranians, but only momentarily.
Rezaei tried to back pass it back to keeper Mirzapour, but hit it very weakly with Mexicans patrolling close by.
Mexican Antonio Zinha easily intercepted the ball, passed to Bravo, who had the easiest of opportunities with only the keeper to beat several feet away, and scored the gift winner.
It was an obvious demoralizing shock to the Iranians, as three minutes later they gave up another goal.
Antonio Zinha strongly and splendidly headed a Mario Mendez cross from the right wing to make it 3-1.
A real shame as Iran played so well up to that point before the tragic error, giving Mexico everything they could handle.
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