In the end, all the chaos unfolded on the pitch and not in the stands. There were always fears that this ‘Pride Match’ between Iran and Egypt would descend into mayhem. But not like this.
At the end of a tense, remarkable 90 minutes, Iran’s World Cup fate hangs in the balance after a stunning climax in Seattle.
Iran, who have never reached the knockout stages of a World Cup, thought they had secured a spot in the round of 32 when – after the ball cannoned around in the box – defender Shoja Khalilzadeh fired home in stoppage time.
That made it 2-1 and sparked wild celebrations from Iranian players, staff and supporters. But after a long VAR check, the goal was eventually ruled out. Replays showed Khalilzadeh was offside by millimeters.
That wasn’t the end of the drama, however, because moments later, a header from Iran midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi hit the bar. Before long, the referee had blown for full-time and it was Egypt who celebrated.
This 1-1 draw means Belgium and Egypt are through from Group G. Iran are odds on to join them as one the top eight third-place teams but they must now wait to see if other results go their way.
Iran’s World Cup fate remains in the balance after a stunning end to the ‘Pride Match’ vs. Egypt
Shoja Khalilzadeh thought he had scored a last-gasp winner for Iran in Seattle on Friday
Khalilzadeh fired home following a goalmouth scramble but was later adjudged to be offside
Iran’s players were left devastated at the final whistle and now face an anxious wait
Iran’s World Cup campaign has been dogged by travel and visa restrictions, with coach Amir Ghalenoei complaining his team have been ‘oppressed.’ Iran’s players, meanwhile, have claimed they are being treated unfairly.
Despite months of uncertainty and controversy, however, Iran finished third in Group G with three draws from three games. Belgium’s 5-1 win over New Zealand means they topped the group on goal difference ahead of Egypt, with Iran finishing third.
As it stands, Iran are among the top eight-ranked third-place teams and are slated to face Switzerland in the round of 32. To guarantee a place in the knockout rounds, Iran need only one of the following to happen: Croatia lose to Ghana in Group L; DR Congo fail to beat Uzbekistan in Group K (provided Uzbekistan do not win by at least seven goals); either Algeria or Austria win their meeting in Group J.
Local organizers designated this game a ‘Pride Match,’ given it fell on the eve of Pride Weekend, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and culminates in a huge parade through Seattle on Sunday.
That sparked complaints from both Iran – where homosexuality is illegal – and Egypt, where gay men can be imprisoned for ‘indecency’, ‘scandalous acts’, and ‘debauchery.’
Despite their protests, however, the match went ahead, sparking fears of unrest around Seattle. There were clashes on Friday afternoon but primarily between different factions of Iranian fans.
Before kickoff, the Iranian national anthem was once again greeted by loud boos by some sections of the crowd. On the streets surrounding Lumen Field, meanwhile, there were more anti-government protests and disputes between Iranian supporters.
Certainly the number of pre-revolutionary Iranian flags – which have been banned by FIFA – dwarfed the number of Pride flags around Downtown Seattle. Near the stadium gates, tension also nearly spilled over between supporters of Israel and Palestine.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| 2. Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 3. Bosnia & Herzegovina | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| 4. Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| 5. Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| 6. Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 7. Croatia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| 8. Korea Rep | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 9. Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| 10. Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| 11. Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
| 12. Congo DR | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
Mahmoud Saber opened the scoring for Egypt after just five minutes of the Group G clash
Ramin Rezaeian equalized for Iran only minutes after Mehdi Taremi had missed a penalty
Some fans brought in rainbow flags into Lumen Field for the game between Egypt and Iran
Protests against the Iranian regime were held outside the stadium ahead of Friday’s game
The Iranian national anthem was once again greeted by boos by some sections of the crowd
Inside Lumen Field, veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell staged his own protest by holding up a placard that read: ‘Iran & Egypt ban gay footballers. It’s against FIFA rules.’ He claimed stadium officials attempted to take his sign.
Down on the field, Egypt took an early lead after Mohamed Salah’s shot was parried by Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand into the path of Mahmoud Saber, whose effort went through a crowd of bodies and into the net.
Iran had the chance to level a few minutes later when Mehdi Taremi was fouled by Mohamed Abdelmonem inside the area. But Taremi was denied by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
But that proved only a brief reprieve, with Ramin Rezaeian equalizing from a tight angle. That meant, heading into the second-half stoppage time, Group G still sat on a knife-edge. Iran thought they had won it late on, only for VAR to intervene.
