Iran's Esteghlal secured a spot in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Bahrain's Al Muharraq in their final Group A match. Goals from Esmaeil Gholizadeh, Duckens Nazon, and Jasir Asani sealed the win at Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium. The result left Esteghlal with eight points, six behind group winners Al Wasl.
The match, played on December 24, 2025, in Muharraq, Bahrain, saw Esteghlal advance despite an early scare. In the sixth minute, Esteghlal goalkeeper Antonio Adan fumbled a shot from Abdulkareem Diara but recovered to concede only a corner. Moments later, Adan tipped over a blistering effort from Soufiane Mahrouq.
Esteghlal struck first against the run of play in the 15th minute. Esmaeil Gholizadeh outpaced the defense and slid home a cross from Saleh Hardani from close range. The game turned scrappy thereafter, with Esteghlal's Saeid Saharkhizan seeing his diving header in the 42nd minute easily saved by Al Muharraq's Sayed Jaafar.
Al Muharraq's hopes diminished in the 60th minute when defender Waleed Alhayam received a second yellow card for fouling Saharkhizan, reducing the hosts to 10 men. Esteghlal capitalized late on, as Duckens Nazon stroked in from a tight angle on the left in the 82nd minute. Jasir Asani then curled a shot into the bottom left corner five minutes later to confirm the 3-0 scoreline and Esteghlal's progression.
Al Muharraq, who entered the match still in contention, finished a point behind Esteghlal in the group standings. Asani, who scored the final goal, has now recorded two goals and one assist in the tournament. Esteghlal finished second in Group A, trailing Al Wasl of the UAE by six points.
