Iran’s ‘disaster World Cup’ comes to a dramatic end

This post was originally published on Politico.

Iran’s players thought they had survived twice.

First, a stoppage-time goal against Egypt on Friday was ruled out. Then, on Saturday night, they believed Algeria’s late goal had sent them into the knockout rounds — until Austria equalized with virtually the final touch of the match, eliminating Iran instead.

The cruel margins of the World Cup brought an end not only to Iran’s World Cup campaign but also to the competition’s most politically fraught storylines.

After months of wrangling over visas, cross-border travel and security arrangements while a host country and a participant were at war, Iran’s exit closes a