World Cup Round of 32 clash confirmed for Dallas
Updated ,first published
SanFrancisco: The Socceroos will play Egypt in the next round of the World Cup after the Pharaohs finished second in their group following a dramatic 1-1 draw with Iran.
The teams will meet in Dallas on July 4 at 4am (AEST) for the Round of 32 clash, marking the first time the two countries will meet at a World Cup.
Attention will be on the fitness of Egyptian Mohamed Salah. The star of the Premier League was substituted in the 57th minute against Iran and suffered a heavy bandage on his left leg after leaving the game.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi saved a penalty in the first half and struck the crossbar with a late header before Shoja Khalilzadeh scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner – which would have put them in second place – but was ruled out for offside.
The draw means Egypt sit second on goal difference behind Belgium on five points and advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time. Iran are in third place with three points and must wait for confirmation that they will become one of the eight best teams in third place.
In the other match, Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 and rose from third place to first place in the group.
More to come
Nick Ralston is deputy editor and research editor of The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously served as news editor, justice editor and world editor.Connect with: X or email.
