An Iran victory would have put Team Melli into the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in Iran’s history. Adding to Rezaeian’s agony, right before the final whistle another potential clincher, a header from Khalilzadeh, hit the crossbar. “I can’t see any luck in my team,” said a distraught Rezaeian.
One could only imagine how Rezaeian and his teammates felt some 24 hours later, when Iran’s fortunes, incredibly, got even worse.
Because despite the tie with Egypt, who plays Australia in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Dallas, Iran still had a chance to advance. One of three outcomes had to unfold on Saturday. Ghana had to beat Croatia, Uzbekistan had to win or draw against DR Congo, or Austria and Algeria had to avoid a draw.
Just one of three. But Croatia bested Ghana, 2-1. Then DR Congo beat Uzbekistan, 3-1.
So Iran’s fate came down to the Austria-Algeria tilt in Kansas City. Someone, anyone, just had to win this game. The ending was dizzying. With the game tied 2-2 in stoppage time, Algerian players kicked the ball around to each other, running out the clock, the result seemingly a foregone conclusion.
