Esteghlal Khozestan and Paykan played out a 0-0 draw in the Iran Pro League on January 23, 2026. The match at Ghadir Stadium was a scrappy, physical encounter with few moments of genuine quality, resulting in a stalemate that suited neither team perfectly. Both sides struggled to maintain possession or build sustained attacks, with the midfield battle often breaking down into a series of fouls. Paykan had the better of the few chances created, but their finishing let them down, while Esteghlal Khozestan offered little threat going forward. The point did little to improve the league position of either club, with both remaining in need of victories to achieve their seasonal targets. The Esteghlal Khozestan coach acknowledged the need for more creativity, while the Paykan manager rued his team's missed opportunities.