An Iran victory would have put Team Melli into the World Cup knockout stage for the primary time in Iran’s historical past. Adding to Rezaeian’s agony, proper earlier than the ultimate whistle one other potential clincher, a header from Khalilzadeh, hit the crossbar. “I can’t see any luck in my team,” stated a distraught Rezaeian.
One might solely think about how Rezaeian and his teammates felt some 24 hours later, when Iran’s fortunes, extremely, obtained even worse.
Because regardless of the tie with Egypt, who performs Australia within the Round of 32 on July 3 in Dallas, Iran nonetheless had an opportunity to advance. One of three outcomes needed to unfold on Saturday. Ghana needed to beat Croatia, Uzbekistan needed to win or draw in opposition to DR Congo, or Austria and Algeria needed to keep away from a draw.
Just considered one of three. But Croatia bested Ghana, 2-1. Then DR Congo beat Uzbekistan, 3-1.
So Iran’s destiny got here right down to the Austria-Algeria tilt in Kansas City. Someone, anybody, simply needed to win this sport. The ending was dizzying. With the sport tied 2-2 in stoppage time, Algerian gamers kicked the ball round to one another, operating out the clock, the end result seemingly a foregone conclusion.