The Socceroos will face Egypt in the Round of 32 after a mind-boggling conclusion to Group G action on Saturday morning.
Australia’s opponent changed three times in the final 20 minutes of the shotgun starts as VAR drama and a little-known goalkeeper rule rescued Egypt by a toe length, seeing them become just the third Asian team to go through the group stage undefeated.
It wasn’t enough to claim top spot as Belgium and New Zealand played out their own classic World Cup thriller.
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Iran had locked Egypt into a 1-1 draw from the 14th minute after having a penalty saved.
But the Middle Eastern nation thought they had clinched second spot with a goal in second-half stoppage time, only for a lengthy VAR check to change the course of their tournament.
The Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir, who played a stellar game overall, made a mess of a flighted pass into the box, coming out and missing as the ball bobbled around for a tap-in.
However, because he had come so high, the Iranian forward needed to be onside of the second-deepest defender, with the check showing he was offside by literally half a foot.
The Egyptians dropped to the floor in ecstasy after surviving two more great efforts from Iran, who will need to wait for the final group games on Sunday to learn their fate.
Mohamed Salah #10 of Egypt reacts as he is substituted. Credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images
The result wasn’t in doubt for Belgium after star Kevin De Bruyne scored from range to put the men in red three goals ahead, boosting their goal difference ahead of Egypt to jump ahead of them in the 66th minute.
But the calculations took another turn as the Kiwis’ new football hero, Elijah Just, scored in the 84th minute, dropping Belgium back into second and a date with the Australians.
Up stood 33-year-old Romelu Lukaku, who scored with his first touch after coming off the bench, heading home Belgium’s fourth goal.
They finished the contest off with a fifth.
Heading into their final match day, every team in the group were a live chance of progressing to the knockout stages with Egypt on top of the standings.
Belgium were Australia’s most likely opponents for the Round of 32 after the Socceroos secured a draw with Paraguay to claim second spot in Group D.
Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal. Credit: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
However, the aging Belgians had their eyes set on the top, hoping Iran could hold the Egyptians to at least a draw, meaning that a win by three or more goals over New Zealand would send the men in red to the top of the group and a date with a third-placed qualifier in the next round.
