For the very first time in decades, thousands of Iranian women have attended a live men's sporting event.
Approximately 3,500 tickets were sold for a special women's only section of Tehran's Azadi Stadium for the encounter between Iran and Cambodia.
The ticket allocation was reportedly sold out within minutes.
Female football fans show their support ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Iran and Cambodia. Source: Getty Images Europe
Donning festive hats and draped in the colours of the national team, the female supporters made their presence known in the 78,000 seat stadium.
While the moment is historic for the traditionally conservative nation, some groups are questioning the substance of the gesture.
Amnesty International has slammed the development as a "cynical publicity stunt," telling the BBC the ticket allowance for women was merely a "token number."
Female football fans show their support ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Iran and Cambodia. Source: Getty Images Europe
One female attendee took to social media to praise the experience, describing it as a special moment.
"We had this experience very late in our life but I am so happy for younger girls who came to the stadium today," she wrote.
Iranian authorities relaxed restrictions on women following the death of a fan who set herself alight after being arrested for trying to attend a match.
The incident prompted football's governing body into action, with FIFA demanding Tehran meet its commitments to all fans.
FIFA head of education and social responsibility Joyce Cook said its a matter which will be monitored.
Iranian women show their tickets during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Iran and Cambodia at Azadi Stadium. Source: Getty Images Europe
"It's not just about one match. We're not going to turn our eyes away from this," he told BBC Sport.
Women had been allowed into Azadi Stadium to watch a screening of Iran taking on Spain in the 2018 World Cup - however, Thursday's encounter was the first time in decades they were allowed to watch a live contest on the pitch.
