"The United States had had no diplomatic relations with Iran since the revolution in 1979. Furious political discussion ensued when they were drawn to meet at the 1998 World Cup. But the game passed off peacefully, the two teams swapping gifts and posing for a pre-match photo together. Iran won 2-1, knocking the U.S. out but defender Jeff Agoos said at the time: ""We did more (for relations) in 90 minutes than the politicians did in 20 years."""
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