Zob Ahan and Esteghlal Tehran played to a 0-0 draw in the Iran Pro League on January 23, 2026. The match at Foolad Shahr Stadium was a cagey affair, with Esteghlal failing to break down a disciplined Zob Ahan side, resulting in another frustrating draw for the title challengers. Esteghlal enjoyed the majority of possession but created few clear chances against a well-drilled Zob Ahan defense that sat deep and absorbed pressure. The home team offered a sporadic threat on the counter but were largely focused on securing a valuable point against one of the league's giants. This result represented another setback for Esteghlal's championship ambitions, dropping two more points in a match they were expected to win. The Esteghlal manager expressed growing concern over his team's lack of a cutting edge in recent matches.