<br /> <p>Iran faced disappointment after losing on the field to Spain in their World Cup group stage match on June 20, but off the field the women of Iran scored a major victory in Tehran.</p><p>Social media posts showed that women were possibly for the first time allowed to enter Tehran’s Azadi Stadium to watch a broadcast of the Iran-Spain match in Kazan, Russia.</p><p>Since 1980, the Islamic republic has banned</a> women from watching men’s sporting events, and those who break the rules can be arrested, fined or even jailed.</p><p>Videos and photos shared from inside the Azadi Stadium show female soccer fans watching the game alongside men in the stadium – cheering, donning face paint, blowing vuvuzelas and waving the national flags. The official Twitter account of Iran’s national team posted</a> a photo of a female spectator in the stadium’s stands holding an Iranian flag, with a caption: “Azadi Stadium, now!”</p><p>A goal for Diego Costa secured Spain’s 1-0 victory over Iran.</p><p>In April, a group of women in Iran put on fake facial hair and dressed as men</a> in order to watch an Iran Pro League soccer match at Azadi Stadium. Credit: @karabiamir via Storyful</p><br />
