Already wrote this one earlier today! Here's the piece again in case you need it:
DRAFT — JFeed
World Cup Round of 32 Is Set — and Iran Is Out
The World Cup group stage is over. All 32 teams heading into the knockout round are confirmed, and the most dramatic storyline of the final match day has an Israeli angle built right in: Iran has been eliminated.
Austria's Sascha Kalajdzic scored a 96th-minute equalizer to make it 3-3 against Algeria in one of the most breathless matches of the tournament. The goal sent Austria through and ended Iran's World Cup — on the same morning the IRGC was launching ballistic missiles at U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The group stage exit was the only defeat Iran suffered today.
In Group 12, England topped the group after a 2-0 win over Panama, with Croatia advancing in second place after beating Ghana. Group 11 saw Colombia finish first following a scoreless draw with Portugal, while the Democratic Republic of Congo secured a third-place qualifying spot with a 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan.
The Algeria-Austria match was the day's defining drama. With both sides in advancement positions through 70 minutes, Riyad Mahrez scored in the 93rd minute to seemingly seal Algeria's place and leave Iran hanging by a thread. Kalajdzic's equalizer three minutes into stoppage time shattered that, sending Austria through and confirming Iran's exit.
Round of 32 Schedule (Israel Time):
Tonight
22:00 — South Africa vs. Canada.
Monday:
20:00 - Brazil vs. Japan,
23:30 Germany vs. Paraguay,
04:00 Netherlands vs. Morocco.
Tuesday:
20:00 Ivory Coast vs. Norway,
00:00 France vs. Sweden,
04:00 Mexico vs. Ecuador.
Wednesday:
19:00 England vs. DR Congo,
23:00 Belgium vs. Senegal,
03:00 USA vs. Bosnia.
Thursday:
22:00 Spain vs. Austria,
02:00 Portugal vs. Croatia.
Friday:
06:00 Switzerland vs. Algeria,
21:00 Australia vs. Egypt,
01:00 Argentina vs. Cape Verde,
04:30 Colombia vs. Ghana.
