Iran had a last-gasp goal overturned as they just missed out on grabbing second spot in Group G – but a first-ever progression to the World Cup knockouts could still be achieved after their dramatic 1-1 draw with Egypt.
Shoja Khalilzadeh’s foot was spotted just ahead of play on the offside review after he had pounced on a rebound in injury-time to spark wild celebrations in Seattle.
Iran were inches away from grabbing a famous win again on 97 minutes, when Saeid Ezatolahi headed against the bar from a corner.
For all the challenges this squad have battled on and off the pitch at this World Cup, it would have been an incredible story if they had snatched automatic progression to the last-32.
Instead, Egypt – down to 10 in the final minutes due to an injury – clung on to finish second in Group G, with Belgium claiming top spot thanks to a thumping 5-1 win over New Zealand. Egypt now face Australia in Dallas.
There were tears in the eyes of some Iranian players at the full-time whistle, as exhausted players, coaches and fans from both sides slumped down to digest the action which had unfolded.
Players of the two teams slump to the floor at the end of the World Cup Group G match between Egypt and Iran
But Iran are still likely to progress as one of the best third-placed sides – unless both Algeria earn at least a point and DR Congo win in their final games.
A game which began at 100mph, with Mahmoud Saber profiting from errors from Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, and Ramin Rezaeian slamming in an equaliser soon after Mehdi Taremi’s penalty was saved, delivered right until the final kick. Yet, there will be more twists to come for both Egypt and Iran at this World Cup.
Delight to despair for Iran
Iran’s Shoja Khalilzadeh scored a late goal which was eventually overturned for offside
Egypt celebrate as Iran’s late goal is ruled out
What the result means…
The key moments from Seattle…
-
5: GOAL! Mahmoud Saber fires through Alireza Beiranvand’s legs after the keeper pushed Mohamed Salah’s deflected shot into his path.
-
12: PENALTY SAVED! Mostafa Shobeir goes the right way to stop Mehdi Taremi’s penalty after Mohamed Abdelmonem kicked the Iran captain in the box.
-
14: GOAL! Shobeir brilliantly stops Milad Mohammadi’s shot but Ramin Rezaeian is there to slam in the rebound from a tight angle.
-
34: OVER! Rezaeian fires over the bar from a good opportunity inside the box to add to his equaliser.
-
45: CLOSE! Khalilzadeh heads narrowly wide as Iran push for a second just before half-time.
-
49: SHOT! Good play from Mohamed Salah to find Trezeguet in the box but his shot is straight at Beiranvand.
-
57: SUB! Salah is replaced with less than an hour on the clock. Resting the captain for the knockouts? He immediately gets some ice for his hamstring.
-
89: OFF THE BAR! Taremi rises to meet their first corner of the night and nods against the woodwork – but a foul is given for Shobeir from Mohammadi’s challenge. Would VAR have overturned it?
-
90+3: GOAL RULED OUT! Khalilzadeh’s goal is scrubbed out after he is judged to be just offside when Mohammadi’s shot is blocked.
-
90+7: BLOCK! Yasser Ibrahim throws himself in the way of Rezaeian’s goal-bound blast from inside the box.
-
90+7: OFF THE BAR! Saeid Ezatolahi meets the cross from the resulting corner but heads against the bar.
Leave a Reply