Iran miss automatic World Cup last 32 spot after VAR denies late winner
Iran must rely on other results to reach the World Cup last 32 after an injury-time winner against Egypt was dramatically ruled out by VAR.
Shoja Khalilzadeh believed he had secured automatic qualification for his country with a spectacular late strike.
However, technology intervened to disallow the goal, forcing the Middle Eastern nation to settle for a frustrating draw.
The agonizing decision means the squad misses out on a guaranteed top-two finish in their tightly contested group.
Anxious wait for knockout stages
They now face a nervous period to discover if their current points tally will be enough to prolong their tournament.
Under the newly expanded competition format, the eight best third-placed sides will safely advance to the first knockout round.
Fans and players alike will be closely monitoring the remaining group fixtures to learn their ultimate fate.
Late heartbreak for Khalilzadeh
The veteran defender thought he had etched his name into national folklore when the ball finally found the back of the net.
Instead, the video assistant referee spotted a crucial infringement during the chaotic final moments of the critical clash.
This late heartbreak ensures that progress remains uncertain for a team that displayed immense attacking intent throughout the match.
