Iranian coach’s complaint about decisive goal disallowed by VAR: ‘In addition to being oppressed, we are unlucky in the 2026 World Cup’
The commander of the Iran national team, Amir Ghalenoei, expressed deep disappointment with the adversities faced by his team in the 2026 World Cup. He highlighted, in particular, the setback that occurred in the final moments of the match that ended in a 1-1 draw with Egypt, on Friday night, when a goal was canceled due to minimal offside and a header from Saeid Ezatolahi hit the post in the extra minutes.
The Iranian team, whose preparation was marked by the move of its training center from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, before the start of the competition – a reflection of the conflict scenario between the country and the United States, one of the host countries –, started the match knowing that a victory would guarantee their place in the round of 16, securing second place in Group G, just behind Belgium.
During the tense clash in Seattle, Iranian defender Shoja Khalilzadeh believed he had scored what would be one of the most iconic goals in the history of football in his country. He finished successfully, beating goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the 93rd minute, but the play was invalidated due to offside, with the tip of his foot barely crossing the line of the last opposing defender.
The celebration was effusive: Khalilzadeh took off his shirt and was immediately embraced by all his teammates, before emerging from the group wearing very peculiar sunglasses, in a display of euphoria for having, apparently, given his team a 2-1 lead.
For brief moments of intense joy, Iran harbored hopes of advancing to the round of 16 of the World Cup, something unprecedented for the nation in the expanded format with 48 teams.
However, late video referee (VAR) review confirmed the goal was disallowed, ensuring that Egypt, on the other hand, could progress from the group stage for the first time in their run in the competition.
Leia Também
At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo reaffirms his historic legacy and prepares to shine in the 2026 World Cup
Portugal draws goalless with Colombia in the 2026 World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo has a lackluster performance
VAR decides to cancel Colombia’s goal against Portugal after a thorough analysis of the tip of the boot, impacting the classification in Group K of the 2026 World Cup
The Iranian team now awaits the outcome of the Group Stage, which ends in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday, to find out if it will get a place in the round of 16 among the best teams that finish in third place.
Egypt is now preparing for the next challenge in the knockout stage, where they will face Australia.
“The rules are there and everything is based on technology, I accept them,” said Ghalenoei at a press conference. “However, I feel really frustrated by the bad luck that has befallen us. Our goal was disallowed by millimeters. That’s fair. But what saddens me is the bad luck. I used to believe we were an oppressed team,” he said, making reference to the travel difficulties and visa restrictions that affected members of the delegation during the championship, “but now I realize that we are also a very unlucky team.”
