Iran and Azerbaijan to face off for freestyle wrestling World Cup final spot

Iran opened up with an 8-0 shut-out victory over Belarus, with key victories coming in the 65 kilogram, 74kg and 125kg categories.

World number two Seyed Ahmad Mohammadi knocked off Belarus’ Azamat Nurykav 11-0 in the 65kg, while unranked Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh picked up a huge 4-4 criteria victory against two-time world medallist and world number four Ali Shabanov in the 74kg.

Another upset, as far as the UWW rankings are concerned, came in the 125kg as world number 10 Parviz Hadi defeated 2011 world champion and world number seven Aleksey Shemarov.

Despite dropping the first match of their dual against Turkey at 57kg, Iran went on to dominate as seven ranked wrestlers prevailed with two wins coming by forfeit.

Azerbaijan also thrashed Turkey 7-1, losing only at 125kg, before defeating Belarus 6-2 in the final round.

Meanwhile in Pool A, hosts United States powered past Cuba 6-2 in the opening round before edging out Russia in a 4-4 tiebreaker win, and will now face Mongolia, who split a pair of matches with Russia and Cuba.

Against Russia, American Tervel Dlagnev came up big at 125kg, scoring a crucial 10-0 technical fall over Arslanbek Aliev to earn what proved to be a decisive four classification points.

"It went right down to the wire,” said US coach Bruce Burnett.

"You have some expected things and you have some unexpected things happen.

"When that takes place, somebody has to rise up.

"I’m really proud of the team.

"Everybody on the team competed hard, top to bottom.”

The action in Los Angeles concludes tomorrow as the final standings are confirmed.

As well as the two semi-finals, Turkey meet Belarus and Cuba go up against Russia, with the winners contesting the fifth-place play-off and the losers left to battle it out in the seventh-place play-off.