10 of the most talked about matches in the last ten FIFA World Cups (excluding the final)

#5 The most politically charged game

Both the teams decided to pose for the photograph together

One of the best things about sports is that it brings peace. The sportsmen forget the political turmoil surrounding them and play the game in the best of the spirits. So, when Iran and the USA went head-to-head in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, they had set an example for the future generations how sports should be played.

There was a lot of off-field drama for the officials to deal with. Firstly, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei gave express orders that the Iranian team must not walk towards the Americans to shake their hands.

Secondly, 7000 tickets would be purchased by a terrorist organisation who had prepared to demonstrate a protest in the match. Thirdly, some intelligence sources claimed that a pitch invasion was going to occur.

While FIFA and the intelligent officials had dealt with all of them, the fears were not gone. But the sportsmanship spirit shown by the Iranian and American players was commendable. Before the kickoff, the two teams exchanged gifts like they were the best of the allies. They even posed for the photograph together!

But once the whistle blew, the teams showed no mercy. Iran took the lead five minutes before half-time thanks to Hamid Estili, and Mehdi Mahdavikia doubled the advantage at the 84th minute. Brian McBride did pull one back for the Americans, but it was too little, too late. The USA might have lost the game but football had won the battle.

After their match, this is what American defender Jeff Agoos had to say: "We did more in 90 minutes than the politicians did in 20 years."