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06/27/26 06:17:00
Printable Page
06/27 06:15 CDT Egypt advances past group stage at the World Cup after a 1-1
draw with Iran
Egypt advances past group stage at the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Iran
By ANDREW DESTIN
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) --- An Iranian fan rushed the field in celebration, necessitating
seven security guards to successfully bring him down.
Shoja Khalilzadeh ripped his jersey off before being mobbed by the entire Iran
team after he fired a shot past Egypt goalie Mostafa Shobeir in the 93rd minute
to seemingly give his side a 2-1 lead on Friday night.
For a few joyous moments, Iran was convinced it had advanced to the knockout
round at the World Cup for the first time in the expanded 48-team pool at this
year's tournament.
The potential late winning goal was called back due to an offside, though, and
Egypt advanced past the group stage.
Iran, meanwhile, will have to wait one day to find out its fate after the two
teams played to a 1-1 draw. Egypt will play Australia in the round of 32.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei lamented what was the third goal by his side waved
off by video review in the tournament.
"Technology is justice," Ghalenoei said in Farsi, "But, I'm upset about our bad
luck."
At the conclusion of what was promoted as a "Pride Match" in Seattle, one which
neither Iran nor Egypt wanted any part in, the Pharaohs finished in second
place in Group G. Belgium, which played to a 1-1 draw against Egypt on June 15,
beat New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver, British Columbia to win the group outright.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was grateful his team didn't slide to third in the
group, which would have been the case had Khalilzadeh's goal held up.
"We knew we had qualified already, we were sitting at the top of the group,"
Hossan said. "I thank God for everything. After this goal was ruled offside, I
was very happy."
Iran, meanwhile, could still advance to the knockout round for the first time
in the expanded 48-team pool at this year's tournament. But, they no longer
controls their own destiny after Friday's game.
"We're here to make our history, too," said midfielder Rouzbeh Cheshmi.
"(Saturday), if our dream comes true, thank God. If not, we are proud of our
game and our players because of how we did the game. The last three games, we
held up, so let's see what happens."
Egypt took an early lead on a goal by Mahmoud Saber in the fifth minute. Former
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah provided some strong play in the box before Saber
fired a shot between the legs of Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Iran was denied an equalizer in the 11th minute when Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa
Shobeir saved a penalty kick, but tied the game in the 14th minute on a goal by
Ramin Rezaeian.
After Iran came up just short, its players aired their grievances about
numerous complications off the field. The team has endured travel restrictions
imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in light of the war in Iran.
In March, Iran sought to move its group-stage matches to Mexico, with which it
has diplomatic ties. Its request to move its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to
Tijuana was granted two weeks before the team's arrival.
Ghalenoei said members of the team have been limited to their hotels and
training facilities, and not explored Tijuana in any capacity. Several team
officials and members of the support staff have been barred from traveling into
the U.S. with the team.
"We don't have recovery, we don't have any logistic people here to help us. We
always complain about these things, but no one helps us -- no one," said
Roozbeh Cheshmi. "As you know, recovery is an important thing. Small details
affect the football."
For the first two matches, near Los Angeles, the team was not permitted to
travel until the day before and had to return to Mexico immediately after each
game. The U.S. then eased its restrictions, allowing the squad to travel to
Seattle two days before Friday's match.
Ghalenoei said the team again had to immediately fly back to Tijuana after
Friday's game.
"We were treated very, very badly," Ghalenoei said. "I hope the world becomes
aware of these issues."
If only for a short stint of time, though, Iran's disdain was tabled in the
aftermath of Khalilzadeh's near-goal. Iran did not finish Friday's game with a
storybook ending, 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," Ghalenoei said. "Why? Because the host treated us in the worst
possible way."
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AP freelancer Mark Moschetti contributed to this report.
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See more of AP's World Cup coverage here
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