A dramatic Group G encounter at Lumen Field in Seattle ended 1-1 between Egypt and Iran, with the result leaving both sides to battle on — Egypt into the last 32, and Iran still in contention as one of the best third-placed sides at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The match produced one of the tournament's most breathless finales, as Iran had a stoppage-time goal disallowed and twice struck the woodwork in the dying moments, only to be denied the famous victory they so nearly claimed.

A frantic opening sets the tone

The game exploded from the first whistle. In the 5th minute, Egypt took the lead when Mahmoud Saber fired through the legs of Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, after the keeper pushed a deflected Mohamed Salah shot directly into Saber's path.

Iran responded immediately. Though Mostafa Shobeir denied Mehdi Taremi from the penalty spot in the 12th minute — stopping the Iran captain's effort after Mohamed Abdelmonem fouled him in the box — the equaliser arrived almost at once. Shobeir produced a fine save from Milad Mohammadi's shot, but Ramin Rezaeian pounced on the rebound from a tight angle to level the score in the 14th minute.

Rezaeian came close to adding a second before half-time, firing over the bar in the 34th minute, while Shoja Khalilzadeh headed narrowly wide in the 45th minute as Iran pushed for a second.

Salah withdrawn as Egypt hold firm

Egypt continued to threaten after the interval, with good work from Salah teeing up Trezeguet in the 49th minute, only for his shot to go straight at Beiranvand. Then, in the 57th minute, Salah himself was substituted — immediately reaching for ice on his hamstring, raising questions about his fitness heading into the knockout rounds.

As the game wore on, Egypt were reduced to 10 men in the closing minutes due to injury, forcing them to defend desperately. In the 89th minute, Taremi met Iran's first corner of the night and nodded against the bar, though a foul was given against Mohammadi.

Late drama — and heartbreak — for Iran

The most agonising moments came deep in stoppage time. In the 90+3rd minute, Khalilzadeh appeared to have won it for Iran after turning in a rebound, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside. Then in the 90+7th minute, Yasser Ibrahim made a crucial block to deny Rezaeian, before Saeid Ezatolahi headed against the crossbar from the resulting corner — Iran's final chance gone.

Tears were visible among Iranian players at the final whistle, with players, coaches, and supporters from both sides absorbing the tension of a match that had delivered until the very last kick.

With Belgium claiming top spot in Group G after a 5-1 hammering of New Zealand, Egypt drop to second and will face Australia in Dallas in the last 32. Iran, finishing third, remain in with a chance of progressing — unless both Algeria earn at least a point and DR Congo win their respective final group games.