Iran have late winner overruled by VAR as they draw with Egypt

Shojae Khalilzadeh saw a stoppage-time winner ruled out for offside as Iran were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Egypt.

Egypt took just five minutes to open the scoring as Mahmoud Saber pounced on the rebound from Mohamed Salah’s saved shot and slipped the ball through goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand’s legs.

Iran had the opportunity to level shortly afterwards when Mohamed Abdelmonem conceded a penalty.

However, Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir kept out the spot-kick with a dive to his left.

Iran did equalise in the 14th minute when Ramin Rezaeian found himself in the perfect position to follow up a blocked shot at the near post.

Iran became increasingly desperate as Belgium’s win over New Zealand put pressure on them to get a win and improve their odds of progressing to the Round of 32.

And it looked like they had pulled it off when a stoppage-time free-kick led to Khalilzadeh putting the ball in the net.

However, a lengthy VAR review ruled he was offside by the smallest of margins.

The result sees Egypt progress to a clash with Australia, while Iran have a nervy wait to see if the remaining group stage results fall in their favour.

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan says he does not fear any opponent in the next round.

He told fifa.com: “We’re unbeaten and we’re proud of that. I said from the start that it would be a tough group stage.

“I’m not thinking about our next opponent; we’re ready to play against anyone. We’re capable of playing our own style of football, of adapting, respecting every opponent. We won’t be afraid of anyone.”

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei told a post-match press conference: “To my players and the team, I want to say to them I’m proud of them. What these young people, these players have done, it should be written in history because the host country treated us very unfairly.

“Despite all of these problems, we’ve been able to perform well and the world is proud of Iranians and our team.”