With both sides having been eliminated from the competition prior to Thursday’s game, Pulatkhuja Kholdorkhonov scored the game’s only goal late on. The two teams spurred chances throughout the 90 minutes, including Humam Tariq’s strike which hit the post in the second half.

Mohammad Abbaszadeh’s second brace of the campaign secured Tractor the three points, consigning their opponents to their first defeat in Group B and becoming the only unbeaten side in the West zone of the 2021 AFC Champions League.

The forward struck on the half-volley in the seventh minute and added the second after finishing a quick counter attack after the hour-mark.

As Groups A and C brought the thrilling group stage to a close on Friday, the West Round of 16 cast saw several of the continent's biggest club sides missing out with Qatar's Al Sadd SC and Al Duhail SC and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC among those who exited the tournament.

The defeats left both teams on 10 points with debutants Istiklol of Tajikistan finishing as group winners thanks to a better head to head record against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, the 2019 AFC Champions League winners.

Needing to better the result of group leaders FC Istiklol – who lost 2-1 to AGMK FC in their match – the 2019 champions fell victim to a pair of Igor Jesus goals to find themselves second in the group and on the brink of elimination.

But they ultimately survived by virtue of the 1-1 Group C draw between Al Ahli and Al Duhail, a result which ensured Al Hilal would advance to the Round of 16 more than an hour after they completed their match.

The two sides came into the match knowing only a win would secure a place in the next stage while a draw would mean both sides would be eliminated at the group stage. With that in mind, both teams spared no effort to attack their opponents producing thrilling end-to-end action throughout the 90 minutes.

Esteghlal went into the game looking for a win to confirm their place in the Round of 16 and duly delivered against their Iraqi opponents whose elimination had already been confirmed.

With Qatar's Al Duhail SC and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC playing to a 1-1 draw, Esteghlal topped the group with 11 points, two more than both their rivals.