Sepahan returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 home victory over Esteghlal Khuzestan in the Iran Pro League on February 23, 2026. The hosts displayed their attacking quality to overcome a stubborn opponent and secure a match result that strengthened their position near the summit of the table. Sepahan took control early, scoring twice in the first half to establish a commanding lead. Esteghlal Khuzestan pulled a goal back early in the second half to make a game of it, but Sepahan restored their two-goal advantage shortly after to kill off any hopes of a comeback. The home team managed the game professionally from that point onward, seeing out the win with comfort. This victory was an important response from Sepahan after their derby draw, keeping them within touching distance of the league leaders. The Sepahan manager was pleased with his team's reaction and clinical edge, while the Esteghlal Khuzestan coach acknowledged the gulf in class on