Egypt qualified for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after a tense 1-1 draw with IR Iran on Friday, while Senegal kept their hopes alive with a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq in Toronto.
The Pharaohs will now play Australia in the Round of 32 as Group G runners-up, while the Lions of Teranga are still in contention for one of the eight best third-placed spots.
Egypt started against IR Iran when Mahmoud Saber struck after just five minutes, converting from close range after goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand could only parry Mohamed Salah’s deflected effort.
IR Iran had the chance to level four minutes later when Mehdi Taremi won a penalty after being brought down by Mohamed Abdelmonem, but Mostafa Shobeir saved the striker from the spot.
The Egyptian goalkeeper was called into action again moments later, keeping out Milad Mohammadi’s low effort before Ramin Rezaeian reacted quickest to the rebound to score the equaliser from a tight angle.
Shobeir’s outstanding first-half display nearly ended on a sour note just before the break when he misjudged a cross, but Shoja Khalilzadeh headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
With Belgium leading New Zealand in the other Group G match, Egypt controlled possession for long spells after the restart, knowing a point would be enough to secure qualification.
There was late drama when IR Iran thought they had snatched a winner that would have lifted them above Egypt into second place, only for Shojae Khalilzadeh’s stoppage-time goal to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Shobeir then saved again from Saeid Ezatolahi.
The result saw Egypt finish unbeaten in Group G with one win and two draws — ending a wait that had stretched across four World Cup appearances without a knockout stage win.
“We’re unbeaten and we’re proud of that,” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said afterwards. “It’s an honour to get through to the next round. We won’t be afraid of anyone.”
Goalscorer Mahmoud Saber added: “It is a huge privilege to score in the World Cup. We will study Australia very well and try to be ready for the next match.”
Earlier in Toronto, Senegal needed a win and delivered one, thrashing Iraq 5-0 to keep their campaign alive. Habib Diarra opened the scoring inside four minutes, getting the final touch after Abdoulaye Seck had nodded a corner back into the danger area.
Iraq’s task became even harder shortly afterwards when Rebin Sulaka was sent off for denying Sadio Mane a clear goalscoring opportunity. Senegal took full advantage after the break. A costly mistake from Zidane Iqbal allowed Lamine Camara to square for Ismaila Sarr to score his third goal of the tournament.
Substitute Pape Gueye scored twice in 12 minutes with two powerful finishes from the edge of the box before Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout with a strike from 20 yards.
The 5-0 win lifted Senegal’s goal difference and strengthened their hopes of progressing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, although Pape Thiaw’s side must now wait for results elsewhere to determine their fate.
“This was a game we had to win, and we did it,” Ismaila Sarr said. “We wanted to score more because you never know.”
Thiaw added: “Our future is no longer in our own hands. We will have to wait and see. But we got the job done.”
