Karim Bagheri vs Khodadad Azizi
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Karim Bagheri
Iran · 1997–98 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Iran
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 87 · 50 goals
- Clubs
- Tractor, Keshavarz, Arminia Bielefeld
On 2 June 1997 he scored seven times against the Maldives in a World Cup qualifier, matching the record for a single qualifying match, and finished that campaign as the leading scorer across all six confederations with 19 goals. He ended with 50 goals in 87 caps, the most by any midfielder in international football, and won Asian Games gold in 1998 plus a run of league titles at Persepolis. Career record: 87 caps and 50 goals for Iran; club career at Tractor, Keshavarz, Arminia Bielefeld.
Khodadad Azizi
Iran · 1996–97 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Iran
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 47 · 11 goals
- Clubs
- Pas Tehran, 1. FC Köln, San Jose Earthquakes
Australia were two goals up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 29 November 1997 with 15 minutes left when Karim Bagheri pulled one back and Azizi levelled it, sending Iran to their first World Cup in 20 years on away goals. Asian Footballer of the Year for 1996 and most valuable player of that year's Asian Cup, he played at France 98, including the 2-1 win over the United States, and spent three Bundesliga seasons at Köln. Career record: 47 caps and 11 goals for Iran; club career at Pas Tehran, 1. FC Köln, San Jose Earthquakes.
The verdict
The almanac puts Khodadad Azizi ahead by 1 rating point, 87 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.