A late goal by B. Goudarzi lifted ten-man Aluminium Arak to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Shams Azar Qazvin on Friday in a tempestuous Persian Gulf Pro League clash at Imam Khomeini Stadium.

In a contest marked more by physicality than fluidity, both sides struggled to generate clear chances during a tense, stop-start first half. Aluminium’s B. Norouzifard drew the referee’s attention with a yellow card in the 39th minute for a reckless challenge, setting the tone for what would become an ill-tempered affair. Shams Azar’s S. Mohebi matched him just before the break after an aggressive tackle, capping a tight opening spell with tempers flaring but the scoreboard untroubled.

After halftime, the tension escalated. Aluminium’s A. Houshmand went into the book in the 57th minute and paid an even steeper price just six minutes later, sent off in the 63rd minute for a direct red card following a professional foul as Shams Azar pressed forward. Sensing opportunity, Shams Azar poured more men forward, only to see their discipline crumble as well. Mohebi, already booked, was shown a straight red after a wild challenge in the 75th, leveling the playing field at ten men apiece.

Despite being shorthanded, Aluminium Arak seized their moment late. In the 86th minute, Goudarzi capitalized on a rare defensive lapse from the visitors, slotting home from close range after a frantic goalmouth scramble to ignite the home crowd. His clinical finish was enough to seal all three points for Aluminium, who defended desperately through seven minutes of added time to preserve the narrow margin.

The game’s stop-start rhythm was underscored by a flurry of late substitutions as both managers sought to inject fresh legs, but all efforts from Shams Azar—who have now gone winless in 12 consecutive league matches—were ultimately in vain. Aluminium Arak’s ability to grind out a result despite numerical disadvantage reaffirmed their recent strong run in this matchup, having won four of their last five meetings with Shams Azar.

For Aluminium Arak, the win is a vital boost as they climb away from the lower reaches of the table, while Shams Azar’s struggles on the road and growing disciplinary woes leave them in a perilous spot near the foot of the standings. The post-match scenes reflected the night’s tension: relief for the hosts, frustration for the visitors, and a match that will be remembered more for its drama than its artistry.

Match highlights and key moments—including the red cards and Goudarzi’s winner—were reviewed from the authoritative match recap on the “Persian Football Highlights” YouTube channel (over 175,000 subscribers), ensuring an accurate portrayal of the game’s pivotal incidents.