In a poignant display of solidarity before kickoff, the Iranian national team took to the pitch carrying symbolic backpacks while singing their anthem.
The moving gesture was a tribute to the 110 schoolgirls from Minab whose lives were tragically lost, a reminder that football remains a powerful universal language for shared grief and healing.
On the pitch, Nigeria seized control early. Moses Simon broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, spearheading a lightning counter-attack and bypassing his marker before rifling a precise shot into the bottom-left corner.
The strike ignited the Super Eagles’ supporters and set the tone for a period of relentless pressure, as Nigeria’s forward line pinned the Iranian defense deep into their own half.
The momentum continued just six minutes into the second half. Akor Adams doubled the lead with a clinical finish, calmly slotting the ball home after a defence-splitting assist from Ademola Lookman left the Iranian backline stranded.
The Super Eagles then introduced fresh legs in the 57th minute, with Igoh Ogbu making way for Chibuike Nwaiwu, who stepped onto the pitch to earn his maiden cap for the national team.
Iran refused to lie down, however, and pulled a goal back through Mehdi Taremi, ensuring the contest remained alive heading into the closing stages.
Friday’s demonstration came as the UN’s human rights chief urged the US to conclude an investigation and publish its findings into the school strike.
The bombing “evoked a visceral horror” and there “must be justice for the terrible harm done”, said Volker Türk during an urgent debate in the UN Human Rights Council.
UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders also said on behalf of the Government: “We are appalled by all reports of civilian deaths – in Minab in Iran, and across the region.
“Innocent civilians should never be caught in the crossfire. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We support all action that will help bring a swift end to this conflict.”
US President Donald Trump initially blamed the bombing on the Iranians themselves, saying: “Based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran. We think it was done by Iran – because they are very inaccurate, as you know, with their munitions. They have no accuracy whatsoever. It was done by Iran.”
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