SEATTLE — Egypt advanced past the group stage at the World Cup for the first time after a 1-1 draw with Iran, and Iran must wait to learn its fate after a late potential winner was ruled out by VAR, according to ESPN.
Egypt took the lead in the fifth minute when Mahmoud Saber scored following strong play from Mohamed Salah in the box; Saber’s shot went between the legs of Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Iran equalized nine minutes later through Ramin Rezaeian, and the score remained 1-1 for most of the match, according to ESPN.
In stoppage time, Shoja Khalilzadeh fired a shot past Beiranvand in the 93rd minute that would have given Iran victory, but the goal was overturned for offside after a video review. Had the goal stood, Iran would have clinched a place in the knockout round, ESPN reported.
Belgium topped Group G after beating New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver, leaving Egypt second in the group with five points. Egypt will face Australia in the round of 32 in Arlington, Texas, on July 3, according to ESPN. Iran, with three points, could still advance in the expanded 48-team field but no longer controls its own destiny.
The match was played at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 27 with an attendance of 66,925. The kickoff was listed at 3:00 a.m. local time and the referee was Szymon Marciniak, according to ESPN.
