Iran have beaten fellow World Cup qualifiers Costa Rica 3-2 in their World Cup warm-up match in front of 25,000 spectators at the Azadi stadium in Tehran.

Iran Coach Branko Ivankovic's side scored three times in the opening 34 minutes in the match on Wednesday.

Iran dominated the first half, and Bayern Munich striker Ali Karimi opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

Iran’s legendary veteran captain Ali Daei scored from close range in the 16th minute and Hannover 96 forward Vahid Hashemian made it 3-0 18 minutes later to give the Iranian's a comfortable goal cushion.

Costa Rica midfielder Carlos Hernandez got a goal back for Costa Rica a minute before half-time, and the second-half saw his team put Iran under constant pressure.

Under the Central American pressure, Costa Rica defender Danny Fonseca scored a second for the visitors the 60th minute, but the team failed to capitalise on any of their further chances in the game, even with several clear-cut chances late in the match.

The match finished 3-2 to Iran, in a highly entertaining match.

Iran have been drawn in Group D in the World Cup Finals, alongside Mexico, Portugal and newcomers Angola.

Costa Rica have been drawn together with the hosts Germany, Poland and Ecuador in Group A.

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