Esteghlal Khuzestan broke their long-standing away drought, sealing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fajr Sepasi in a tense Persian Gulf Pro League clash at Grand Shiraz Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The result marked a significant upset, not only ending Esteghlal Khuzestan’s 12-match winless streak on the road but also handing Fajr Sepasi their first home defeat of the season—a venue where they had not conceded a goal prior to this encounter.

The hosts entered the match brimming with confidence, unbeaten in their last seven home fixtures and boasting three consecutive home wins. Fajr Sepasi’s defensive solidity, combined with recent form, made them clear favorites, especially given Esteghlal Khuzestan’s struggles away from home. Yet, football’s unpredictability was on full display.

The first half saw Fajr Sepasi assert control, dictating possession and creating early chances. Their persistence paid off near the half-hour mark, as a blistering sequence resulted in the opener. The home crowd erupted as Fajr Sepasi took the lead, continuing their trend of strong home performances. At halftime, the hosts held a deserved 1-0 lead, reflecting both recent history and first-half statistics, as Fajr Sepasi typically win when leading at the interval on home soil.

The narrative shifted dramatically after the break. Esteghlal Khuzestan emerged revitalized, their attacking intent sharpened. A crucial equalizer arrived early in the second half, swinging momentum and injecting belief into the visiting squad. The pivotal moment came late, as Esteghlal Khuzestan netted the match-winner in the dying minutes, silencing the Shiraz faithful and rewriting the club’s away record.

Key performers for Esteghlal Khuzestan included their captain, whose leadership steadied the team during moments of pressure, and the dynamic forward line which capitalized on rare defensive lapses. Fajr Sepasi, meanwhile, saw their usually reliable backline struggle to contain the visitors in the second half.

Statistically, Esteghlal Khuzestan flipped the script on recent head-to-head meetings, having failed to defeat Fajr Sepasi in their last eight encounters—a stretch that included six draws and two losses. This victory not only lifts Esteghlal Khuzestan up the league table, but it sends reverberations across the division, signaling the end of their away woes and shaking up playoff projections.

For Fajr Sepasi, the loss prompts reflection as their unbeaten home record falls. The challenge now lies in regrouping quickly and rediscovering the defensive strength that defined their earlier successes.

The highlights and key moments from this thrilling contest—including real-time stats, shot maps, and momentum swings—can be reviewed via match recaps and live commentary platforms. Supporters and analysts alike will be dissecting this result, which could prove pivotal in the unfolding race for playoff spots as the Persian Gulf Pro League season intensifies.