Egypt are through to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, but they reached the next round the hard way.
The Pharaohs survived a late Iran scare in a dramatic 1-1 draw, a result that secured second place in Group G and set up a Round of 32 meeting with Australia. Iran, meanwhile, were left waiting to know whether they had done enough to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
Egypt had already confirmed their place in the next round before kick-off, but there was still top spot to fight for. That prize disappeared after Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 to finish above Egypt on goal difference.
The Pharaohs started like a team determined to control their own story.
Mahmoud Saber struck in the fifth minute, giving Egypt an early lead after a first-time effort squeezed through Alireza Beiranvand and crossed the line.
But Iran did not fold.
Team Melli needed to avoid defeat to keep their qualification hopes alive, and they were handed a major chance when Mohamed Abdelmoneim fouled Mehdi Taremi while attempting to clear the ball.
Taremi stepped up from the spot, but Mostafa Shobeir kept Egypt ahead with a low save.
That escape did not last. Ramin Rezaeian equalised in the 15th minute, reacting after Shobeir had stopped Milad Mohammadi’s initial effort. From a narrow angle, the Iranian wing-back forced the ball in and changed the temperature of the match.
Salah Concern Changes The Mood
Egypt were still chasing the win that could have improved their route, but the match took another turn before the hour mark when Mohamed Salah was withdrawn.
That moment now becomes Egypt’s biggest follow-up issue.
The Guardian reports that Australia will face Egypt with Salah under an injury cloud, while the exact nature and recovery timeline still require careful confirmation before Egypt’s knockout tie.
For Egypt, that uncertainty matters. Salah remains the team’s biggest attacking reference point, and losing him or managing him at less than full sharpness would reshape the build-up to Australia.
Without him, Egypt lost some rhythm. Iran sensed it.
Iran Denied At The Death
The final minutes nearly turned Egypt’s relief into disaster.
Shoja Khalilzadeh swept the ball into the net after a deep free-kick caused chaos in the area, but Iran’s celebrations were cut short by an offside decision. Sky Sports reported that Iran had a last-gasp goal overturned as they narrowly missed the chance to snatch second place in Group G.
Iran still threatened again, with Saeid Ezatolahi striking the woodwork as Egypt scrambled through a frantic ending.
The draw was enough for Egypt. It was not enough for comfort.
Hossam Hassan’s side remain unbeaten and alive in the tournament, but this was not a clean passage into the knockouts. It was a warning: Egypt can survive pressure, but they may not be able to absorb too much more of it without Salah fully fit.
For Iran, the pain is sharper. They were one late decision away from a famous win and possible automatic progress. Instead, they must wait on other results.
Egypt got through. Now the real question is whether Salah can.