The World Cup turned itself into a noisy metaphor for bigger things last night. On a field in Lyon there was a thaw in the 19-year coolness between Iran and the US. A thaw on the field and heat in the stands. The Iranian players applauded the Star Spangled Banner and gave their opponents flowers, handshakes and later their jerseys.
The Americans offered pennants but they left empty handed, beaten by a superior Iranian side who scored a goal in either half to buffer them against a late charge by the Americans, who will not now progress past the opening round.
The Gerland Stadium almost disintegrated under the exultant hurricane of sound.
In the stands throughout the game two strands of Iranian opinion debated passionately. Thousands of supporters wore T-shirts bearing the image of Maryam Rajavi, the woman whom the exiled National Council for Iranian Resistance considers to be the president-elect of their country.
During the Iranian anthem dissidents unfurled a large fluorescent banner bearing the legend "Down With Khatami" (Mohammad Khatami, the Iranian president). When other Iranians and some stewards attempted to remove the banner there were minor scuffles. In the middle of all this hung an Irish tricolour with the words "Demented Chickens Tramore". Always some Irish chickens in the Coupe.
The game itself had a liveliness fitting an event described by the Director of US Soccer, Hank Steinbrecher, as the "the mother of all games". It ebbed and flowed wildly for a fraught 90 minutes, finally giving the Iranians their first-ever World Cup points.
The Iranians go into their last group game with Germany needing a win to progress further.
Last night's game had the emotional impact of winning the whole tournament. Iranian forward Khodadad Azizi had noted the pressure, stating "many families of martyrs are expecting us to win. We will win for their sake."
FIFA, the world soccer body, had chosen a Swiss national to referee the game with unimpeachable neutrality because Switzerland had good diplomatic relations with both countries. In the interests of harmony Mr Urs Meier diplomatically ignored Iran's persuasive case for a penalty in the first half.
The clash had a resonance beyond the touchlines. In the stands US politicians used the game to make gestures towards healing the rift with Iran. Bill Clinton even televised a message to be shown during half time in the States.
The Iran Times reported meanwhile that hospitals in the country were braced to treat over-excited fans. Three Iranians had heart attacks during the country's opening game with Yugoslavia.
"It was a very sensitive game for us," said Jalal Talebi, the Iranian coach. "We knew it would not be easy. Towards the end we were so excited. It gave us a lot of pleasure."
The spiritual guide of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement read on national television, said: "The players gave a very good impression of the Iranian people who know how to fight on every front . . . Once again the oppressor has tasted the bitter gall of defeat."