Iran played out their final group game of the World Cup on June 26, taking on Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.
After picking up two points from their opening two matches, the Iranian national team needed to get at least a point from their last match to have any chance of making it into the Round of 32.
They came close to winning the match in extra time, scoring what they thought was a late winner to make it 2-1. This prompted huge celebrations from the crowd, and one fan was even videoed invading the pitch.
US stewards had to remove a pitch invader during Iran vs Egypt
However, Iran’s second goal of the game was ruled out after a VAR check, while the stewards at Lumen Field in Seattle had to tackle the fan, who had entered the pitch, to the ground before eventually removing him from the field.
Journalist Gregg Bell shared the video on X/Twitter and explained: “What a bonkers World Cup match in Seattle. Iran thinks they’ve won it on this in ET. Lumen Field shakes.
“Fan joins celly on the field. Cops rough him out. Then Egypt gets reprieve with VAR review saying no goal, offside. Ends 1-1. Belgium wins the group. Iran likely out.”
Are Iran out of the World Cup?
While they failed to win their last group match, Iran could still compete in the Round of 32.
They finished third in their group with three points and a zero-goal difference.
At this summer’s tournament, the eight best third-place teams earn a spot in the knockout phase, with the remaining four countries going home.
At the time of writing, Iran are ranked sixth in the third-place standings, but Croatia, Algeria and DR Congo still have one more group match to play each.
In turn, should Congo win and both Algeria and Croatia at least get draws in their final ties, Iran would drop out of the top eight and exit the tournament.
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