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Australia will play Egypt in the first knockout round of the World Cup on Saturday.

In chaotic scenes, Iran almost stole victory in the final seconds, but a goal was disallowed by VAR to give Egypt a 1-1 draw that secured second place in the group.

The Iranians now face a nervy wait to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed sides.

Meanwhile, Belgium smashed New Zealand 5-1, meaning the Belgians leapfrogged Egypt into top spot on goal difference.

Earlier, Cabo Verde secured a spot in the World Cup knockouts against all odds.

Players celebrated widely after they kept Saudi Arabia to a draw, before Uruguay lost to Spain.

That came after France beat Norway 4-1 thanks to an Ousmane Dembele hat-trick to top Group I, while Senegal's 5-0 win over Iraq guarantees its progression as one of the best third-placed sides.

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Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 4:03pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 4:03pm

We'll leave it there

What a wild way to end another massive day of World Cup action.

Belgium trounces New Zealand and Egypt clings on against Iran.

Australia is set for a Round of 32 clash with Egypt on Saturday morning.

Tomorrow, the group stage concludes, with things kicking off at 7am AEST.

England plays Panama and Ghana takes on Croatia with plenty of jeopardy surrounding how Group L with finish.

We hope to see you then!

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:56pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:56pm

The Iranian goal that never was

By Henry Hanson

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:46pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:46pm

How things end in Group G

By Henry Hanson

This is how things end after an evening of high drama in the Pacific Northwest.

Belgium wins the group on goal difference, Egypt sneaks through in second.

Iran, after having a goal ruled out and hitting the crossbar in added time against the Egyptians, face a nervous wait to see if they will progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

They're currently in sixth, with the three final groups to reach a conclusion tomorrow.

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:35pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:35pm

Match report: Iran faces anxious wait after Egypt drama

By Henry Hanson

Reuters

Iran had a stoppage-time goal overturned and settled for a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the final Group G game at Seattle Stadium on Friday night.

Defender Shoja Khalilzadeh appeared to have scored the game-winning goal three minutes into second-half stoppage time when he found the back of the net following a flurry of shots at Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir. However, after review, Khalilzadeh was ruled to have been narrowly offside.

Iran, seeking to advance out of the group stage for the first time, finished third in the group (0-0-3, 3 points) and now must wait to learn their fate. Iran is sixth in the third-place table, with the top eight going through.

Egypt would have topped the group with a win on Friday but settled for second with Belgium beating New Zealand 5-1.

Instead of returning to Seattle for their round of 32 game, Egypt will travel to Arlington, Texas, to play Australia on July 3.

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:31pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:31pm

Match report: Belgium tops Group G with New Zealand thrashing

By Henry Hanson

Reuters

Leandro Trossard recorded a brace and Belgium clinched a spot in the Round of 32 with a 5-1 World Cup victory over New Zealand in Group G play on Friday night at Vancouver.

Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers added goals as Belgium (1-0-2, 5 points) won the group due to having a better goal differential (plus-4) than Egypt (1-0-2, 5 points, plus-2).

Elijah Just scored a goal for New Zealand (0-2-1, 1 points), who were eliminated from the World Cup.

Thibaut Courtois made one save for Belgium, who had a 34-6 edge in shots and put nine on target to New Zealand's two.

Max Crocombe had five saves for New Zealand.

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:27pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:27pm

Mohamed Salah under an injury cloud for Socceroos clash

By Henry Hanson

ICYMI, Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah was substituted before the hour in Egypt's 1-1 draw with Iran, with the Liverpool legend looking pretty dejected and ginger on his way off the field.

As the half progressed, we were shown footage of Salah icing his leg and receiving treatment on the bench.

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:18pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:18pm

Happy with that, Socceroos fans?

By Henry Hanson

A Round of 32 clash with Egypt awaits the Socceroos.

And on the basis of the matches we've just seen, that is surely a good result for the Australians.

Belgium dominant and clinical against New Zealand, and Egypt lucky to avoid defeat against Iran.

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:09pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:09pm

FT: Belgium wins Group G with New Zealand drubbing

By Henry Hanson

Over in Vancouver, Belgium cemented its spot as Group G winners with a late Alexis Saelemaekers goal.

That made it 5-1 to Belgium, who avoid a Round of 32 matchup with the Socceroos.

They will face one of the competition's best third-placed teams. At the moment, South Korea are shaping as their most likely opponent, but that all could change with one more day of Group Stage action still ahead of us.

For New Zealand, it's a disappointing end to a very promising campaign.

They finish at the bottom of the group with one point from there three games.

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:04pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:04pm

FT: Socceroos to face Egypt in Round of 32 after remarkable scenes in Seattle

By Henry Hanson

What have we just witnessed in Seattle?

Iran goes so, so close to finding a late winner against Egypt, seeing a goal chalked off by VAR and then smashing the crossbar.

The Egyptians cling on by the skin of their teeth, a point good enough to confirm a second-place finish in Group G.

The Pharaohs will face Australia in the Round of 32.

Iran, meanwhile, face an agonising wait to see if they will qualify for the knockouts as one of the eight-best third-placed teams.

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:03pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 3:03pm

90+6' Iranian go close again!

By Henry Hanson

HOW HAVEN'T IRAN GONE IN FRONT!

A cross is whipped in from the right and the header is firm and true, but it smashes into the crossbar!

This is an unbelievable finale in Seattle.

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:57pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:57pm

90+3 IRAN TAKES THE LEAD! BUT THE GOAL IS CHALKED OFF!

By Henry Hanson

Oh my word!

What is happening in the Pacific Northwest?!

A set-piece is worked into the penalty area, and there are scenes of Iranian jubilation as Shoja Khalilzadeh gets the best of a goalmouth scramble and smashes the ball home!

There's a lengthy VAR check for an incredibly tight offside call.

Iranian hearts in Iranian mouths in Seattle...

AND THE GOAL IS CHALKED OFF!

After what feels like an age, VAR says Khalilzadeh was off side - played on by the Egyptian goalkeeper, of all people!

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:57pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:57pm

90+4' Belgium goes 5-1 up!

By Henry Hanson

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:56pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:56pm

90' We're into stoppage time in both games

By Henry Hanson

New Zealand and Belgium are halfway through four added minutes, while Egypt and Iran have just begun their six.

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:55pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:55pm

90' Iran hits the woodowork!

By Henry Hanson

Oh gosh, the drama just keeps coming in Group G!

An Iranian corner is worked in from the right and the ball is deflected onto the uprights!

It remains 1-1 in Seattle.

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:53pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:53pm

As you were, Socceroos fans!

By Henry Hanson

So, for about two minutes, the Socceeroos were on course for a Round of 32 matchup with Belgium.

But Romelu Lukaku's goal cancelled out Elijah Just's fine effort, restoring Belgium's three-goal lead and returning his side to the top of Group G.

Egypt once again looming as the Socceroos' next opponent.

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:49pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:49pm

86' BUT BELGIUM HITS BACK STRAIGHT AWAY!

By Henry Hanson

Chaos in Vancouver!

Chaos for the Socceroos!

And it's Belgium's all-time top goalscorer, Romelu Lukaku, who rises high to head home at the far point.

Lukaku had only been on the field for a minute!

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:47pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:47pm

84' THE ALL WHITES ARE ON THE BOARD!

By Henry Hanson

And it's Elijah Just!

What a World Cup it has been for the Motherwell man.

A corner is whipped in from the right and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is only punching as far as Just on the edge of the penalty area.

Just catches his volley very, very sweetly and it cannons into the net.

Belgium drops to second!

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:43pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:43pm

78' Belgium fires over

By Henry Hanson

Belgium has an opportunity from the dead ball, winning a freekick in a perfect position just to the left of the D.

Three Belgium players converge over the ball, and they take an age to decide what to do with it.

Eventually, it's Maxim De Cuyper who steps forward and fires his shot well over the bar.

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:38pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:38pm

73' We're back underway in North America

By Henry Hanson

And it's Egypt, currently on course for a Round of 32 matchup with the Socceroos, needing a goal to return to the top of Group G.

Iran currently poised to progress as one of the eight best third-placed sides.

Belgium leads the group.

New Zealand out of contention.

We have a massive 25 minutes ahead of us.

Key Event

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:34pm

Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 2:34pm

70' Australia's next opponent changes once more!

By Henry Hanson

That Kevin de Bruyne goal has fired Belgium to the top of Group G, with Egypt falling to second.

That means Australia, as it stands, will face Egypt in the Round of 32.

However, the Pharaohs require just one more goal to return to the top of the group.

Drinks are on the field in both Vancouver and Seattle.

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