FIFA World Cup
Amir Ghalenoei's side missed out on a place in the knockout stage by the slimmest of margins but can hold their heads high after completing their campaign undefeated.
Iran, however, will look back on their opening Group G against New Zealand with regret as it was a match they should have won but instead had to come from behind twice to salvage a 2-2 draw.
Team Melli then produced a defensively sound performance to hold highly fancied Belgium to a goalless draw, which kept alive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage for the first time.
Standing in their way were Mo Salah-led Egypt, with the African side taking the lead in the fifth minute through Mahmoud Saber.
Iran's response was swift, with Ramin Rezaeian equalising in the 14th minute and were then denied a stoppage time winner through Shoja Khalilzadeh by the tightest of VAR calls.
That meant having to wait for the completion of the group stage to know if they would advance and Iran looked to be on course until a stoppage-time goal from Austria in a 3-3 draw with Algeria meant that they just missed out.
While it was a heartbreaking end to their tournament, Iran did themselves proud by facing all their challenges head on and will set their sights on the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with genuine belief that they can lift the coveted trophy for a fourth time.
Photos: AFP
