Belgium defeats New Zealand 5:1 and wins Group G; Egypt advances with draw

At the FIFA World Cup, Belgium confirmed top spot in Group G by crushing New Zealand 5:1 in Vancouver. Iran and Egypt played to a 1:1 draw in Seattle, which sent the African team through as runners-up and left Iran awaiting a decision on third place.

At the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver, Belgium played their final Group G match and broke New Zealand's resistance with a 5:1 victory, securing top spot in the group. In Seattle, Iran and Egypt's encounter ended 1:1, which sent the African team through to the next phase as runners-up.

Belgium finally opens the floodgates

Belgium opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Kevin De Bruyne directed a corner into the penalty area and New Zealand's defenders failed to clear, with Leandro Trossard, crowned English Premier League champions with Arsenal this spring, tapping the ball into an empty net. The same player was not to be stopped just five minutes later: from a De Bruyne pass came another dangerous situation, Trossard's first shot was blocked, but the second could not be prevented.

In the 66th minute the roles were reversed, this time Trossard set up and De Bruyne sent a low strike from 17 metres into the net. The final ten minutes of the match added three more goals. Elijah Just managed to reduce New Zealand's deficit in the 84th minute, but just two minutes later Romelu Lukaku headed home Nicolas Raskin's cross. Alexis Saelemaekers completed the 5:1 scoreline in the fourth minute of added time, striking accurately from 15 metres from a Lukaku pass.

Dramatic draw in Seattle

Iran and Egypt needed just five minutes for the first goal, with Mahmoud Saber sending the ball into the net from confusion among Iran's defenders and goalkeeper. Iran's star Mehdi Taremi's penalty attempt was stopped by Egypt's goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the 14th minute. Iran found an answer three minutes later when Ramin Rezaeian levelled with an equaliser.

The most dramatic moment of the match came in the third minute of added time when Iran's defender Shoja Khalilzadeh netted, but referee Szymon Marciniak ruled the goal out after a lengthy VAR review for offside. Saeid Ezatolahi struck the crossbar, but the match ended 1:1 and Egypt progressed as runners-up.

Iran's hopes as a third-place team

Iran, who finished all three group matches with draws, nonetheless have a chance to advance as the best third-place team. For this to happen, all of the following must occur: Croatia fails to earn any points against Ghana, Congo does not beat Uzbekistan, and Austria and Algeria draw. The last scenario is particularly complicated, as several experts recall the historical context of the 1982 World Cup, when the match between Austria and West Germany eliminated Algeria from the tournament. Therefore, Algeria may have reason to play for a win, which would make Iran's prospects somewhat more realistic.