World Cup sees Iranian women score spot in the stands

For many of the thousands of joyful women packed into Tehran's largest football stadium, their first ever chance to watch a game at a sports arena was a victory for freedom despite Iran's agonising World Cup elimination.

Cheering and with their cheeks painted with the national colours, women showed they were just as caught up in the World Cup fever sweeping the country as they seized the opportunity to attend a live screening at the 100,000 capacity Azadi (Freedom) Stadium, which, like other sports arenas, has been off-limits to them since the the Islamic revolution of 1979.

While the exuberance turned to tears when Iran missed the chance to snatch a last gasp winner against Portugal, ending their tournament dreams, some in the mixed gender stands said they would still treasure the landmark night watching an open-air screening of the national team.

"It felt weird to buy my ticket online, it's so exciting to come to the stadium," said Arezou, a psychologist in her thirties.

"When I felt the heat of the crowd in the stadium, I told myself I really wanted to remember this moment as one of the best of my life."
- Nail-biter -
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- New freedoms -
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