Iran left waiting after VAR denies stoppage-time winner against Egypt
Iran drew 1-1 with Egypt in Seattle and must wait to learn whether three points are enough for a World Cup knockout place.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
2 min read
Iran’s bid to reach the World Cup knockout stage was left unresolved after a 1-1 draw with Egypt in Group G on Friday, Reuters reported. Shoja Khalilzadeh appeared to have scored a stoppage-time winner in Seattle, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
The result put Iran third in the group on three points, according to Reuters. They must wait to see whether they qualify for the round of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Egypt had already secured their place in the knockout phase before kickoff, Reuters reported. The draw left Egypt second in Group G with five points, behind Belgium on goal difference, and set up a July 3 match against Australia in Dallas.
The match opened at a fast pace. Reuters reported that Egypt went ahead inside five minutes after Mohamed Salah was involved in the move and Mahmoud Saber’s shot slipped through Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Iran responded quickly. Mehdi Taremi won a penalty soon after Egypt’s opener, but Mostafa Shobeir saved his attempt, Reuters reported. The Egypt goalkeeper then made another diving stop before Ramin Rezaeian scored from the rebound in the 14th minute.
After that early exchange, chances became scarce for long stretches, according to Reuters. The match lost momentum after the first-half hydration break, with Egypt playing cautiously while Iran gained confidence.
Iran pushed harder late in the game. Reuters reported that Taremi struck the crossbar with a header before the decisive late sequence, when the ball moved around Egypt’s penalty area and Khalilzadeh drove it into the net in the 93rd minute.
Iran’s bench ran onto the pitch to celebrate what looked like a goal that would send the team through, Reuters reported. The celebrations ended after VAR found Khalilzadeh had moved just beyond the defensive line, leaving the score at 1-1.
Reuters reported that the crowd included a large and vocal Egyptian presence, along with significant Iranian support. Some Iranian fans waved pre-revolutionary flags and booed Iran’s national anthem, according to the news agency.
Local organizers designated the game as a “Pride Match,” Reuters reported. Rainbow flags were visible inside the stadium, and the match passed without any reported off-field incident.
For Egypt, the draw confirmed a steady group-stage finish and a first knockout-stage appearance already assured before the match, according to Reuters. For Iran, the late offside call turned a near-certain place in the round of 32 into a wait on results elsewhere.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.