FIFA World Cup Highlights: Belgium and Egypt go through, Iran face anxious wait

Iran came within whiskers of securing automatic qualification for the Round of 32, but a combination of the woodwork and a heartbreaking VAR intervention forced them to settle for a breathless 1-1 draw against Egypt. While the point seals Egypt's passage into the knockout stages as runners-up behind Belgium in Group G, Team Melli must now endure an anxious Sunday wait to discover if they will progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

It was a frenetic, exhausting affair at Lumen Field, packed with early drama. Egypt took the lead after just five minutes when Mahmoud Saber fired a low effort through the legs of Alireza Beiranvand. Iran responded instantly and were presented with a golden opportunity to level when Mehdi Taremi won a penalty, only for the striker to uncharacteristically miss from the spot.

Iran refused to take the blow lying down. Merely 135 seconds later, Milad Mohammadi's squirming effort fell kindly to Ramin Rezaeian, who made no mistake in tucking home the loose ball to level the scores.

VAR HEARTBREAK FOR IRAN

The second half was defined by agonising near-misses for Iran as they pushed relentlessly for the winner that would guarantee their progression. It simply was not Taremi's day; minutes before the end of regulation time, the forward rose brilliantly above a sea of red shirts to meet a corner, only to watch his powerful header crash off the post and out of play.

The ultimate cruelty arrived in the second minute of additional time. The Iranian bench erupted in joy when Shojae Khalilzadeh pounced on a loose ball after a save from the Egyptian goalkeeper and pumped it into the back of the net. However, the celebrations were brutally cut short. A lengthy VAR review ruled Khalilzadeh offside, wiping the goal off the sheet and tearing the definitive victory from Iran's grasp.

IS SALAH INJURED?

For Egypt, the relief of qualification was tempered by a deeply concerning moment on the hour mark. Their talisman, Mohamed Salah, was substituted after walking gingerly off the pitch. He spent the remainder of the match on the bench with an ice pack applied to his left hamstring, casting a shadow over the Pharaohs' celebrations just days after recording their first-ever win at a World Cup finals.

Iran's failure to convert their late flurry of chances leaves them in a precarious position. Sitting sixth in the third-place rankings with three points and a goal difference of zero, they must now watch the remaining groups unfold before learning their World Cup fate.

Egypt have qualified for the Round of 32. They go through as the second-placed team in Group G. Iran face an anxious wait. They finish third in the group. They are placed sixth at the moment among the eight best third-placed teams.

They have to wait until tomorrow to learn their fate.

As of now, Belgium, who beat New Zealand 5-1 in the other game, are through along with Egypt.

What a time to score. Shoja Khalilzadeh, the central defender, has been denied.

He has been ruled off-side. He netted the loose ball inside the box after a save from the Egyptian goalkeeper.

But, he is off-side. The goal has been disallowed after a long VAR check.

iran supporters in the stands are in tears.

They could still go through, but they would have sealed the win with had that goal stayed!

Belgium sealed their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a convincing 5-1 victory over New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver on Friday. The Red Devils extended their unbeaten run at the World Cup to four matches, their longest since a five-game streak between June 18 and July 6, 2018.

New Zealand struggled to trouble Belgium throughout the contest, managing just six shots, their fewest in a match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Belgium were clinical at both ends, dominating possession and creating chances at will to sign off the group stage in emphatic fashion.

GOAL! Alexis Saelemaekers gets on the scoresheet as Belgium pile on the misery for New Zealand. The substitute finishes calmly to make it 5-1, capping another slick attacking move. With only minutes remaining, Belgium are firmly in control and look set to wrap up an emphatic victory.

That was so close. Taremi gets into a good position to head a corner into the net. He rises above a group of red shirts in the box and heads it in. But, the ball hits the post and goes out of play.

It's not been his day. Taremi missed a penalty in the first-half, now his header hits the bar.

Iran need a winner.

Six minutes of added time.

Mo Salah was subbed off 10 minutes into the second half. He was replaced by Zizo. The former Liverpool man was seen getting ice pack applied to his left hamstring in the dugout.

Egypt fans will be hoping Salah is fit for the remainder of the tournament.

He had to start today and he did his job well.

it's Egypt 1-1 Iran with five minutes left in normal time.

Belgium are on their way to a big win in Vancouver after a dominant second-half display against New Zealand. Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-0 in the 66th minute with a calm finish after another well-worked Belgian attack. The goal was no surprise as Belgium had been in control for most of the match and continued to create chances with ease.

New Zealand finally gave their fans something to cheer about in the 84th minute when Elijah Just scored to make it 3-1. It was a deserved reward for the hosts, who kept fighting despite being outplayed for long periods.

But Belgium quickly ended any hopes of a comeback. Just two minutes later, Romelu Lukaku found the net with a simple finish to restore the three-goal lead. At 4-1, the result was all but decided, with Belgium comfortably seeing out the closing minutes.

It has been an impressive performance from the Red Devils, who have looked sharp in attack and solid at the back. New Zealand showed plenty of effort but struggled to match Belgium's quality, and the visitors now look set to finish the match with a comfortable victory.

A brilliant ball from Mo Salah. From the right of the box, he curled one to Trezeguet, who was near the far corner. But, Trezeguet was not able to get power and did not manage to trouble the goalkeeper.

This has been good end-to-end football.

Egypt are looking a bit more organised and more purposeful at the start of the second half.

GOAL! Belgium 2-0 New Zealand

Belgium have one foot in the Round of 32 as Leandro Trossard doubles their lead with a clinical finish. The winger strikes again to put the Red Devils firmly in control, leaving New Zealand with a mountain to climb. The All Whites now need a swift response to keep their World Cup hopes alive, but time is beginning to slip away.

The second half is underway in Seattle.

Twin changes for Egypt. They have subbed off their goalscorer Saber.

Mahmoud Saber replaced by Marwan Attia. Emam Ashour replaced by Omar Marmoush.

Meanwhile, Saleh Hardani replaces Hossein Kanani for Iran.

As it stands, Iran will also go through to the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.

47': Kevin De Bruyne is afforded space to shoot but cannot make it count, dragging his effort off target when Belgium had the opportunity to put the game beyond New Zealand.

The miss keeps the Kiwis alive, with Belgium still holding a slender 1-0 lead as the match enters its closing stages.

With time running out, New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley has made a double change to inject fresh energy into his side. Ryan Thomas has been replaced by Ben Old in a tactical switch, while Jesse Randall comes on for Sarpreet Singh.

The changes signal New Zealand's intent to push for an equaliser after falling behind to Belgium, with Old's pace and Randall's attacking instincts expected to provide a fresh spark in the closing stages.

A frenetic first-half ends in Seattle. It's Egypt 1-1 Iran.

At the moment, Iran need work to get through. They can go through with a draw, but they would want a win against Eygpt.

In the other game of the group in Vancouver, Belgium are leading New Zealand 1-0.

Join us back in 15 minutes.

Half-time: Belgium take a deserved 1-0 lead into the break against New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver.

The Red Devils have controlled much of the opening 45 minutes and hold the advantage thanks to Leandro Trossard's first-half strike, while New Zealand have struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Just before the interval, Trossard went into the referee's book after a rash challenge on Finn Surman, gifting New Zealand a free-kick in a non-threatening area. It offered the All Whites a brief chance to settle in possession, but Belgium comfortably saw out the remainder of the half.

Belgium head into the dressing room in control, though New Zealand remain just one goal away from getting back into the contest.

45+3': Belgium work the ball into a promising position before Timothy Castagne lets fly, but he fails to keep his effort on target. It was a decent opening, yet the shot drifts wide of the post, allowing New Zealand to breathe easy and restart play without their goalkeeper being called into action.

We are heading towards half-time and there is plenty of pushing and shoving here. Two yellow cards each for both teams.

Mo Salah tried to break into the box with a run down the middle. But, Ali Nemati brings him team. Gets a yellow card. But, he takes one for the team.

It remains 1-1 between Egypt and Iran.

43': CLOSE! Belgium carve out another promising chance as Charles De Ketelaere finds space inside the New Zealand box and gets his shot away. But Max Crocombe is alert to the danger, producing a solid save to keep his side in the contest.

39': Belgium will feel that was a chance wasted. Jeremy Doku backed himself from distance, but the winger failed to connect cleanly and sent his effort comfortably wide of the target. It was an ambitious attempt, but one that never threatened the New Zealand goal.

iran are pinning Egypt back. They have a front five which is working well. Since the hydration break, Iran are having the upperhand.

They nearly take the lead in the 34th minute.

Goalscorer Ramen Rezaeain had a great chance to bury one into the net. But he shot it well over the post from inside the box. He was unmarked and should have put it away.

It remains 1-1 in Seattle.