Under the grey Seattle skies at Lumen Field, Egypt edged out a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Iran in a Group G opener that had everything — a penalty controversy, a stunning equaliser, a red card, and a late winner from one of the tournament's most in-form attackers.

Egypt dominated the opening exchanges, with Mohamed Salah pulling the strings from a free-roaming No. 10 role. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Shojae Khalilzadeh lunged recklessly into Omar Marmoush inside the area — a clumsy challenge the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Salah, ice-cool as ever, sent Beiranvand the wrong way to make it 1-0.

Iran regrouped at half-time and came out with far more intent in the second period. Alireza Jahanbakhsh, lively on the right flank all afternoon, slipped a perfectly weighted through-ball into the channel for Mehdi Taremi, who took one touch and drilled a low finish past El Shenawy at his near post — a goal of real quality that silenced the Egyptian support in the stands.

The match turned again on 79 minutes when Khalilzadeh, already on a yellow, cynically hauled back Marmoush on the counter and received his second booking. Egypt, now with a man advantage, pressed forward immediately. Six minutes later, Salah — who had been Egypt's best player throughout — played a deft reverse pass into the feet of the surging Marmoush, who cut inside Kanaanizadegan and curled a composed finish into the far corner. 2-1, and this time there was no way back for the ten-man Iranians.

Egypt held firm through five minutes of stoppage time to claim a vital three points and establish themselves as early Group G pacesetters.