An Iran victory would have put Crew Melli into the World Cup knockout stage for the primary time in Iran’s historical past. Including to Rezaeian’s agony, proper earlier than the ultimate whistle one other potential clincher, a header from Khalilzadeh, hit the crossbar. “I am unable to see any luck in my workforce,” mentioned 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.
As a result of regardless of the tie with Egypt, who performs Australia within the Spherical of 32 on July 3 in Dallas, Iran nonetheless had an opportunity to advance. Considered one of three outcomes needed to unfold on Saturday. Ghana needed to beat Croatia, Uzbekistan needed to win or draw towards DR Congo, or Austria and Algeria needed to keep away from a draw.
Simply one among three. However Croatia bested Ghana, 2-1. Then DR Congo beat Uzbekistan, 3-1.
So Iran’s destiny got here all the way down to the Austria-Algeria tilt in Kansas Metropolis. Somebody, anybody, simply needed to win this recreation. The ending was dizzying. With the sport tied 2-2 in stoppage time, Algerian gamers kicked the ball round to one another, working out the clock, the consequence seemingly a foregone conclusion.
