Egypt survives draw with Iran to advance to World Cup knockout stage

SEATTLE – An Iranian fan ran onto the field to celebrate and it took seven security guards to successfully stop him.

Shoja Khalilzadeh ripped off his jersey before being mobbed by the entire Iran squad after he fired past Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the 93rd minute to seemingly give his side a 2-1 lead on Friday night.

For a few celebratory moments, Iran was convinced it had qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in the expanded 48-team pool at this year’s tournament.

However, a potential late winning goal was disallowed for offside and Egypt progressed through the group stage.

Iran, meanwhile, will have to wait one day to find out their fate after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw. Egypt will play Australia in the round of 16.

Iran coach Amir Galenoi expressed regret that his team scored a third goal that was disallowed by video review at the tournament.

“Technology is justice,” Galenoi said in Farsi, “but I’m upset that we were unlucky.”

At the conclusion of what was billed as a “pride match” in Seattle, in which neither Iran nor Egypt wanted to play, the Pharaohs finished second in Group G. Belgium, who had drawn 1–1 against Egypt on 15 June, beat New Zealand 5–1 in Vancouver, British Columbia to win the group outright.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was grateful his side did not drop to third in the group, which would have happened if Khalilzadeh had not scored.

“We knew we had already qualified; we were at the top of the group,” Hossan said. “I thank God for everything. After that goal was ruled offside, I was very happy.”

Iran, meanwhile, could still qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in the expanded 48-team pool at this year’s tournament. But after Friday’s game, he is no longer in control of his destiny.

“We are also here to make our history,” said midfielder Rouzbeh Cheshmi. “(Saturday), if our dream comes true, thank God. If not, we’re proud of our performance and our players because we made the game. We played the last three games, so we’ll see what happens.”

Egypt took the lead through Mahmoud Saber’s goal in the fifth minute. Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah produced a strong performance in the box before Saber fired a shot between the legs of Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Iran failed to equalize in the 11th minute when Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved a penalty, but equalized in the 14th minute with a goal from Ramin Rezaian.

After Iran suffered a setback, its players expressed dissatisfaction with numerous off-field difficulties. The team survived travel restrictions imposed by the US Department of Homeland Security due to the war in Iran.

In March, Iran tried to move group stage matches to Mexico, with which it has diplomatic relations. Her request to move base camp from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana was granted two weeks before the team arrived.

Galenoi said team members were confined to their hotels and training bases and did not explore Tijuana in any capacity. Several team officials and members of support staff were banned from entering the United States with the team.

“We have no recovery, we don’t have logistics specialists here to help us. We always complain about these things, but no one helps us – no one,” said Ruzbeh Cheshmi. “As you know, recovery is an important thing. Small details affect football.”

For the first two matches near Los Angeles, the team was not allowed to travel until the previous day and had to return to Mexico immediately after each game. The US then eased restrictions, allowing the team to travel to Seattle two days before Friday’s match.

Galenoi said the team again had to immediately fly back to Tijuana after Friday’s game.

“We were treated very, very badly,” Galenoi said. “I hope the world becomes aware of these issues.”

However, at least briefly, Iran’s disdain showed after Khalilzadeh almost scored. Iran didn’t end Friday’s game with a storybook final, but it is still alive in the tournament – at least for another 24 hours.

“What these young Iranian national team players have done should be recorded in history,” Galenoi said. “Why? Because the owner treated us in the worst way.”