It was the Iranians' first ever win in the World Cup final in the most politically sensitive match of the 1998 tournament.

The first strike came after 40 minutes when the unmarked Estili sent his looping header off a perfect Javad Zarincheh cross from the right over goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

The second came after Mahdavikia picked up the ball just inside the American half and ran it unchallenged to the edge of the box before crashing it home. Kasey Keller just got his fingers to the ball but could not keep it out.

The final goal was scored in a tumble of bodies just on the line as the US pushed every one forward.

The technically superior Iranians, who lost theiropening game against Yugoslavia 1-0, are now ranked one point behind joint group leaders Germany and Yugoslavia while the US are out of the reckoning after two defeats.

Iran had failed to win any of their three games in 1978, their only other appearance in the finals.

Iran were lucky to escape an early US strike when McBride rose above the defence after three minutes to send a powerful header off a Claudio Reyna free kick against the crossbar.

Reyna again hit the woodwork with a ferocious 25-metre drive against the near post in the 34th as goalkeeper Ahmad Abedzade dived at full stretch.

The US were unlucky again when Martinique-Born David Regis side-footed against the near post in the 74th.

But Iran could have justified a penalty in the 21st minute when Khodadad Azizi outpaced US captain Tom Dooley to a long ball but fell under the challenge of goalkeeper Kasey Keller as he burst into the area.

Swiss referee Urs Meier, however ignored Iranian penalty claims and waved play on.