Esteghlal Khozestan and Malavan played out a scoreless draw in the Iran Pro League on March 1, 2026. The 0-0 final score was a testament to the defensive solidity of both teams, with attacking quality in short supply throughout the ninety minutes. The match was a midfield battle with few clear-cut chances, as both sides seemed wary of making a mistake that could cost them valuable points. Malavan's goalkeeper was called into action to make a smart save from a long-range effort in the first half, while Esteghlal Khozestan's best opportunity came from a header that sailed over the bar. The result did little to help either team's standing in the lower half of the league table, with both managers acknowledging the need for more creativity in the final third in post-match comments.