EGYPT and Iran shared the same view of Fifa’s ‘Pride Match’ – and split the points on the night.
The match coincided with Seattle Pride, the city’s parade to promote the LGBTQ+ community.
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Egypt star Mahmoud Saber celebrates scoring the opener against Iran Credit: Reuters
Ramin Rezaeian scored Iran’s equaliser against Egypt Credit: Reuters
Both Muslim nations condemned the situation and demanded Fifa prevent any “ceremonies or promotional activities” at the game.
Same-sex relations are illegal in Iran and gay people can face the death penalty.
Egypt has prosecuted homosexual people and openly complained about expressions of gay pride.
But none of that stopped supporters waving rainbow flags inside the 72,000-capacity Lumen Field.
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Those proudly making a statement in the crowd were the winners of this game.
Egypt and Iran may not share that same message, but both teams will be pretty happy with the result.
The Pharaohs qualify in second and now face Australia.
Iran are all-but through as one of the top-eight third-place finishers.
Mahmoud Saber took just five minutes to open the scoring for Egypt, nutmegging the keeper in a tidy finish.
Mehdi Taremi fluffed his chance to equalise just five minutes later when his penalty was saved.
But Ramin Rezaeian pounced on the stopper’s save three minutes later and rifled his shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle to equalise.
Mo Salah, who played a part in Saber’s opener, was withdrawn after 56 minutes and the Athletic claim he was seen with heavy strapping on his leg.
Fans display rainbow flags in the crowd at the ‘Pride Match’ Credit: Reuters
Mo Salah was withdrawn and spotted with heavy strapping on his leg Credit: Getty
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Iran thought they had won it in the 95th minute as Shoja Khalilzadeh scored after a huge scramble in the box.
But replays showed he was a TOE offside.
Belgium’s 5-1 win over New Zealand means the Kiwis are out – and Iran must wait 24 hours to find out their fate.
Iran players go wild thinking they had won the match Credit: Reuters
Iran’s Shoja Khalilzadeh scored in the final minutes of the game – but it was ruled out for being offside Credit: Reuters
