Egypt through to the round of 32 after 1–1 draw with Iran

Egypt 1–1 Iran, through to the round of 32

Your team is into the knockout rounds for the first time. Egypt 1–1 Iran on Saturday in Group G, and that is enough (4). Mahmoud Saber put the Pharaohs ahead in the 5th minute with a sharp finish, and for a moment the group lead was yours (4). Ramin Rezaeian equalised for Iran from an almost impossible angle near the byline, and the match settled into a tense draw (3) (4).

Belgium snatched the group from you

The group win slipped away while your match was finishing. Belgium beat New Zealand in the other Group G fixture, a late goal securing top spot and pushing Egypt down to second (4) (7). That means a tougher path in the round of 32, but you are still there, and no Egyptian team has ever been there before.

Salah and Marmoush led the line

Hossam Hassan sent out a strong XI: Mostafa Shoubeir in goal, Mohamed Hany, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Ramy Rabia, and Ahmed Fatouh across the back, with Mohanad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Mostafa Zico, and Emam Ashour in midfield. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush started together up front (5). Trezeguet also featured (5). The team could not find a winner, but the point was what mattered.

Fan reactions

The r/soccer threads lit up for Saber's early strike, five minutes in, and Egypt fans were already dreaming of the group win. When Rezaeian equalised, the tone shifted to nerves, but the broader mood is one of history made. The knockout bracket chatter has already started, with fans working out potential paths now that the group stage is complete (3). Saber's goal | Rezaeian's equaliser