Abdalla Yousif scored an own goal just four minutes into the match at the Shahr-e Qods Stadium in Tehran.

Ramin Rezaeian doubled Esteghlal’s lead in the 78th minute, nutmegging Matias Nani on the right flank before striking a grounded effort past Ababacar.

With two minutes remaining, Arash Rezavand put the game beyond Al Gharafa’s reach when he struck the ball home off a counter-attacking move to seal the three points.

Next up for Esteghlal is a trip to Qatar where it will face Al Sadd, while Al Gharafa meet United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain.