Iran kept their World Cup hopes alive with a comeback 1-1 draw against Egypt on Friday, but must now wait to see if their third-place finish in Group G is enough to secure a place in the knockout stages.
Egypt, whose qualification for the last-32 was already guaranteed, took the lead inside five minutes through Mahmoud Saber, before Ramin Rezaeian equalised from a tight angle in the 14th minute of a frantic start.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi, who had a penalty saved in the first half, hit the crossbar with a late header before Shoja Khalilzadeh thought he had scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner, but it was ruled out for offside.
The draw means Egypt finish second with points, behind Belgium on goal difference.
Iran is third on three points and must wait for confirmation that they will go through as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
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