Belgium thrash NZ to reach knockouts, Iran face anxious wait after Egypt draw
Belgium thrashed New Zealand 5-1 to finish top of Group G, while Egypt held Iran to a 1-1 draw in Seattle. The results sent Belgium and Egypt into the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, while Iran were left waiting to discover if they will qualify as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams.
Belgium booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a ruthless 5-1 demolition of New Zealand on Friday, while Iran were left facing an agonising wait for their knockout fate after being held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Egypt in the final Group G fixtures.
Leandro Trossard struck twice and Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings in another commanding display as Belgium finished top of Group G on goal difference ahead of Egypt. The result sent both Belgium and Egypt into the last 32, while Iran must now wait to discover whether they will advance as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams.
BELGIUM TOP GROUP G
Belgium barely put a foot wrong in Vancouver as they underlined their status as one of the tournament's most convincing teams so far. Peter Bosz's side controlled possession from the opening whistle, pinned New Zealand deep inside their own half and rarely allowed the Kiwis an opportunity to settle.
They thought they had the perfect chance to take the lead when the referee pointed to the penalty spot in the opening exchanges, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR review. It proved to be only a brief delay.
FIFA World Cup HIGHLIGHTS: Belgium 5-1 Egypt, Iran 1-1 Egypt
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 28th minute. Kevin De Bruyne's inviting corner caused confusion inside the New Zealand box, with Tim Payne unable to clear his lines. The loose ball dropped kindly for Leandro Trossard, who reacted quickest to stab home from close range and hand Belgium a deserved lead.
If the opening goal rewarded Belgium's persistence, the second showcased their quality. Five minutes after the restart, De Bruyne slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Trossard's path. The Arsenal forward saw his initial effort blocked but remained composed, smashing the rebound beyond Max Crocombe to double Belgium's advantage.
There was no way back for New Zealand after that. Belgium continued to dictate the tempo, stretching the defence with crisp passing before De Bruyne finally added his own name to the scoresheet in the 66th minute. The Manchester City midfielder swept a precise finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area after another flowing attacking move.
Elijah Just briefly gave the home crowd something to cheer about with a late consolation goal, but Belgium ensured there would be no late drama. Substitute Romelu Lukaku restored the three-goal cushion before Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout in the closing minutes, sealing a comprehensive victory and confirming Belgium as Group G winners.
While Belgium celebrated another polished performance, all eyes soon turned to Seattle, where the battle for the second automatic qualification spot produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament.
VAR HEARTBREAK FOR IRAN
Iran came within inches 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 sealed Egypt's passage into the knockout stages as runners-up behind Belgium in Group G, Team Melli must now endure an anxious wait to discover whether they will progress as one of the tournament's 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.
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 against the crossbar and bounce away.
The ultimate cruelty arrived in the second minute of additional time. The Iranian bench erupted in celebration when Shoja Khalilzadeh pounced on a loose ball after a save from the Egyptian goalkeeper and slammed 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 scoresheet and denying Iran what would have been a famous victory and an automatic place in the knockout stage.
IS SALAH INJURED?
For Egypt, the relief of qualification was tempered by a worrying injury scare involving Mohamed Salah. The captain was substituted on the hour mark after appearing to clutch his left hamstring and spent the remainder of the contest on the bench with an ice pack strapped to his leg, leaving Egypt anxiously awaiting an update ahead of the Round of 32.
Iran's failure to convert their late pressure 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 whether their World Cup journey will continue.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
Belgium booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a ruthless 5-1 demolition of New Zealand on Friday, while Iran were left facing an agonising wait for their knockout fate after being held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Egypt in the final Group G fixtures.
Leandro Trossard struck twice and Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings in another commanding display as Belgium finished top of Group G on goal difference ahead of Egypt. The result sent both Belgium and Egypt into the last 32, while Iran must now wait to discover whether they will advance as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams.
BELGIUM TOP GROUP G
Belgium barely put a foot wrong in Vancouver as they underlined their status as one of the tournament's most convincing teams so far. Peter Bosz's side controlled possession from the opening whistle, pinned New Zealand deep inside their own half and rarely allowed the Kiwis an opportunity to settle.
They thought they had the perfect chance to take the lead when the referee pointed to the penalty spot in the opening exchanges, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR review. It proved to be only a brief delay.
FIFA World Cup HIGHLIGHTS: Belgium 5-1 Egypt, Iran 1-1 Egypt
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 28th minute. Kevin De Bruyne's inviting corner caused confusion inside the New Zealand box, with Tim Payne unable to clear his lines. The loose ball dropped kindly for Leandro Trossard, who reacted quickest to stab home from close range and hand Belgium a deserved lead.
If the opening goal rewarded Belgium's persistence, the second showcased their quality. Five minutes after the restart, De Bruyne slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Trossard's path. The Arsenal forward saw his initial effort blocked but remained composed, smashing the rebound beyond Max Crocombe to double Belgium's advantage.
There was no way back for New Zealand after that. Belgium continued to dictate the tempo, stretching the defence with crisp passing before De Bruyne finally added his own name to the scoresheet in the 66th minute. The Manchester City midfielder swept a precise finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area after another flowing attacking move.
Elijah Just briefly gave the home crowd something to cheer about with a late consolation goal, but Belgium ensured there would be no late drama. Substitute Romelu Lukaku restored the three-goal cushion before Alexis Saelemaekers completed the rout in the closing minutes, sealing a comprehensive victory and confirming Belgium as Group G winners.
While Belgium celebrated another polished performance, all eyes soon turned to Seattle, where the battle for the second automatic qualification spot produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament.
VAR HEARTBREAK FOR IRAN
Iran came within inches 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 sealed Egypt's passage into the knockout stages as runners-up behind Belgium in Group G, Team Melli must now endure an anxious wait to discover whether they will progress as one of the tournament's 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.
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 against the crossbar and bounce away.
The ultimate cruelty arrived in the second minute of additional time. The Iranian bench erupted in celebration when Shoja Khalilzadeh pounced on a loose ball after a save from the Egyptian goalkeeper and slammed 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 scoresheet and denying Iran what would have been a famous victory and an automatic place in the knockout stage.
IS SALAH INJURED?
For Egypt, the relief of qualification was tempered by a worrying injury scare involving Mohamed Salah. The captain was substituted on the hour mark after appearing to clutch his left hamstring and spent the remainder of the contest on the bench with an ice pack strapped to his leg, leaving Egypt anxiously awaiting an update ahead of the Round of 32.
Iran's failure to convert their late pressure 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 whether their World Cup journey will continue.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
