×
World Cup 2026: Why Iran’s winning goal vs. Egypt was disallowed by VAR  For a brief moment, it looked as if Iran had snatched a dramatic stoppage time winner against Egypt to secure their first ever berth in the FIFA World Cup knockout round. Iranian centerback Shoja Khalilzadeh pounced on a rebound off a free kick, with Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier out of his goal and in a mad scramble after saving an earlier shot in the sequence.Following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside, much to the disbelief and dismay of Iranian players and supporters and reprieve for the Egyptians inside Seattle Stadium.On the surface, this looks like a blown call given Khalilzadeh (No. 4) was clearly behind Egyptian defender Yassir Ibrahim (No. 2) at the top of the screen:But when VAR overturned the goal, the line drawn was along Khalilzadeh and Hamza Abdelkarim (No. 9).This may seem like a massive oversight, but this is actually the correct application of the offside law.The second-last opponent, explainedBased on the laws of the game, as maintained and governed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), Khalilzadeh is offside even though he’s not beyond the last defender. That’s because this is one of those rare times where there’s an offside call in which the goalkeeper is not the last person back.”A player is in an offside position if:”any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line) andany part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent”Since the Egyptian goalkeeper vacated his net, the last opponent was Ibrahim and the second-last opponent was Abdelkarim. Therefore, Khalilzadeh was marginally beyond Abdelkarim and consequently the goal was chalked off.How the disallowed goal affects Iran, EgyptIran hit the crossbar shortly after the restart and the game finished 1-1, which sensationally shifted the Group G standings.Instead of Iran finishing second behind Belgium and advancing to the Round of 32, they will have to wait for Saturday’s results to determine whether or not they’ll be in the knockout phase.Egypt began Friday as Group G leaders, briefly dropped to third when the would-be winner by Iran was initially given, and ultimately finished in second. The Egyptians will play Australia on July 3 in Arlington.How Iran can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout roundThe good news for Iran is that they are sixth out of the 12 third-place finishers entering Saturday, so they would advance as things stand. Unfortunately for them, their position is tenuous given three teams can still overtake them. Iran will qualify if any of the following results occur:Croatia lose to GhanaAlgeria vs. Austria does not end in a drawDR Congo draw or lose to UzbekistanIf Croatia draw or beat Ghana, Algeria and Austria draw, and DR Congo beat Uzbekistan, then Iran would be out of the World Cup, and the disallowed goal would go down as one of the most heartbreaking ways to exit the tournament.  #World #Cup #Irans #winning #goal #Egypt #disallowed #VAR

World Cup 2026: Why Iran’s winning goal vs. Egypt was disallowed by VAR

For a brief moment, it looked as if Iran had snatched a dramatic stoppage time winner against Egypt to secure their first ever berth in the FIFA World Cup knockout round. Iranian centerback Shoja Khalilzadeh pounced on a rebound off a free kick, with Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier out of his goal and in a mad scramble after saving an earlier shot in the sequence.

Following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside, much to the disbelief and dismay of Iranian players and supporters and reprieve for the Egyptians inside Seattle Stadium.

On the surface, this looks like a blown call given Khalilzadeh (No. 4) was clearly behind Egyptian defender Yassir Ibrahim (No. 2) at the top of the screen:

But when VAR overturned the goal, the line drawn was along Khalilzadeh and Hamza Abdelkarim (No. 9).

This may seem like a massive oversight, but this is actually the correct application of the offside law.

The second-last opponent, explained

Based on the laws of the game, as maintained and governed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), Khalilzadeh is offside even though he’s not beyond the last defender. That’s because this is one of those rare times where there’s an offside call in which the goalkeeper is not the last person back.

”A player is in an offside position if:

  • ”any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line) and
  • any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent”

Since the Egyptian goalkeeper vacated his net, the last opponent was Ibrahim and the second-last opponent was Abdelkarim. Therefore, Khalilzadeh was marginally beyond Abdelkarim and consequently the goal was chalked off.

How the disallowed goal affects Iran, Egypt

Iran hit the crossbar shortly after the restart and the game finished 1-1, which sensationally shifted the Group G standings.

Instead of Iran finishing second behind Belgium and advancing to the Round of 32, they will have to wait for Saturday’s results to determine whether or not they’ll be in the knockout phase.

Egypt began Friday as Group G leaders, briefly dropped to third when the would-be winner by Iran was initially given, and ultimately finished in second. The Egyptians will play Australia on July 3 in Arlington.

How Iran can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout round

The good news for Iran is that they are sixth out of the 12 third-place finishers entering Saturday, so they would advance as things stand. Unfortunately for them, their position is tenuous given three teams can still overtake them. Iran will qualify if any of the following results occur:

  • Croatia lose to Ghana
  • Algeria vs. Austria does not end in a draw
  • DR Congo draw or lose to Uzbekistan

If Croatia draw or beat Ghana, Algeria and Austria draw, and DR Congo beat Uzbekistan, then Iran would be out of the World Cup, and the disallowed goal would go down as one of the most heartbreaking ways to exit the tournament.

#World #Cup #Irans #winning #goal #Egypt #disallowed #VAR

For a brief moment, it looked as if Iran had snatched a dramatic stoppage time winner against Egypt to secure their first ever berth in the FIFA World Cup knockout round. Iranian centerback Shoja Khalilzadeh pounced on a rebound off a free kick, with Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier out of his goal and in a mad scramble after saving an earlier shot in the sequence.

Following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside, much to the disbelief and dismay of Iranian players and supporters and reprieve for the Egyptians inside Seattle Stadium.

On the surface, this looks like a blown call given Khalilzadeh (No. 4) was clearly behind Egyptian defender Yassir Ibrahim (No. 2) at the top of the screen:

But when VAR overturned the goal, the line drawn was along Khalilzadeh and Hamza Abdelkarim (No. 9).

This may seem like a massive oversight, but this is actually the correct application of the offside law.

The second-last opponent, explained

Based on the laws of the game, as maintained and governed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), Khalilzadeh is offside even though he’s not beyond the last defender. That’s because this is one of those rare times where there’s an offside call in which the goalkeeper is not the last person back.

”A player is in an offside position if:

  • ”any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line) and
  • any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent”

Since the Egyptian goalkeeper vacated his net, the last opponent was Ibrahim and the second-last opponent was Abdelkarim. Therefore, Khalilzadeh was marginally beyond Abdelkarim and consequently the goal was chalked off.

How the disallowed goal affects Iran, Egypt

Iran hit the crossbar shortly after the restart and the game finished 1-1, which sensationally shifted the Group G standings.

Instead of Iran finishing second behind Belgium and advancing to the Round of 32, they will have to wait for Saturday’s results to determine whether or not they’ll be in the knockout phase.

Egypt began Friday as Group G leaders, briefly dropped to third when the would-be winner by Iran was initially given, and ultimately finished in second. The Egyptians will play Australia on July 3 in Arlington.

How Iran can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout round

The good news for Iran is that they are sixth out of the 12 third-place finishers entering Saturday, so they would advance as things stand. Unfortunately for them, their position is tenuous given three teams can still overtake them. Iran will qualify if any of the following results occur:

  • Croatia lose to Ghana
  • Algeria vs. Austria does not end in a draw
  • DR Congo draw or lose to Uzbekistan

If Croatia draw or beat Ghana, Algeria and Austria draw, and DR Congo beat Uzbekistan, then Iran would be out of the World Cup, and the disallowed goal would go down as one of the most heartbreaking ways to exit the tournament.

Source link
#World #Cup #Irans #winning #goal #Egypt #disallowed #VAR

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

Post Comment