Salah was the creator of the opener but didn't get on the scoresheet himself, leaving his chase of the national goals record for another match. Egypt's group campaign — 1 win, 2 draws, unbeaten, 5 points — doesn't wow anyone on paper but got the job done. They advance to the Round of 32 as Group G runners-up behind Belgium.
Iran came in needing a win and came closer to 1 than the 1-1 result suggests. Rezaeian equalized in the 14th minute — sharp finish from close range — and Iran were the more urgent side for long stretches of the second half. The 90+3 Khalilzadeh header looked good from every angle on the pitch; VAR disagreed, ruling him a fraction offside. That's the kind of tournament Iran is having.
Discipline was another problem. Iran collected 4 yellow cards — Kanaanizadegan (18'), Nemati (43'), Ezatolahi (79'), Khalilzadeh (90+4') — as desperation grew and legs started flying in. Taremi, the man Iran needed to deliver, went quiet all night; Rezaeian did the scoring while the captain disappeared. Iran's group stage ends at 0 wins, 3 draws, 1 goal across 3 matches. They're in the best-third queue with 3 points and the market has essentially written them off.
Our moneyline on Egypt to win didn't cash — the draw was priced at around 36% pre-match and that's exactly what we got. The bear case was right: Egypt were perfectly comfortable sitting on the result once Rezaeian equalized, never pushed for a second, and let the game die. Beiranvand, despite the early spill, kept Salah and company at bay when it mattered. On the total, we were right — Over 1.5 hit inside 14 minutes and was never in doubt. 1 for 2 on the night.
Egypt head into the knockouts as a legitimately tricky second-round draw — the market gives them a 54.5% shot at reaching the Round of 16. Belgium won the group as expected. Iran are effectively done; 3 points from 3 draws won't survive the best-third cut in this field. They came into this World Cup promising more than they delivered.
Argentina2-3
Australia1-1
Iran1-1
New Zealand3-1
Belgium1-1Egypt1-1Belgium0-0New Zealand2-2