Another win for the Klinsmann era, but this was not easy, as the team did not really perform well. He deliberately left some of the veterans out of the squad, in order to take a look at some newer players. Hannover's Per Mertesacker and Aston Villa's Thomas Hitzlsperger both got their initial cap in this game.

Although there wasn't undue interest in Germany, there was massive excitement in Iran for the national squad's meeting with the DFB squad. Some of the well-known Iranian players, such as Azizi and Mahdavikia had originally thought about staying out of the match, but public entreaties (including from ex-Berlin/Bayern/Bielefeld player Ali Daei) ensured a full strength Iranian team.

The huge crowd in Teheran didn't initially bother the DFB squad, as they quickly took the lead against teh nervous Iranians. Fabian Ernst took a direct shot after Schneider's corner wasn't cleared out far enough, putting the ball in low, unstoppable.

After a few chances on either side (Schneider and Klose missing "sitters"), Iran took over control of the game, with Mahdivikia (Hamburg SV) and Karimi leading the charge. Keeper Jens Lehmann was "man-of-the-match", as his superb saves kept the German lead.

In the 2nd half, the Germans again jumped quickly. Klose played the ball out to Görlitz, whose cross found Thomas Brdaric unmarked, and he easily headed into the net from 7 meters. This seemed to take the wind out of the Iranians, who continued to press, but less effectively than in the initial phase.