In the match held at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, Nacional beat Iran giant Esteghlal 1-0.
Rodrigo Teixeira scored for the visiting team in the 65th minute. Esteghlal put Nacional under pressure afterward but failed to score. Nacional goalkeeper Ignacio Don was selected Man of the Match.
“Esteghlal strikers created so many chances but could not take advantage of them. I believe that the tournament should not be held in this time since we are not well-prepared,” Esteghlal coach Parviz Mazlumi said during the post-match news conference.
Esteghlal is scheduled to face its arch-rival Persepolis on Monday in the last day of the event. Persepolis has already defeated Nacional 1-0 in this tournament.