The Group B race for the quarter-final tickets at the Rio Olympic Games will go down to the wire after Egypt surrendered a lead they enjoyed for almost the entire game to allow hosts Brazil to snatch a 27-27 draw on Saturday.

Egypt's star Ahmed El-Ahmar, who stood out with nine goals, wasted a penalty in the last minute which if converted would have given the Pharaohs a 28-27 lead.

Brazil then had the initiative in the last 10 seconds and were awarded a free throw but could not score a winner amid enthusiastic cheers from the passionate crowd at the Future Arena venue.

Egypt led for almost the entire match and were 15-13 up at halftime. Brazil gradually narrowed the gap in the second period until managing to draw level at the death.

The result put Egypt in fourth place with three points, one ahead of Poland who will leapfrog them if they beat Sweden on Sunday.

Egypt face a difficult task to advance to the quarter final, given that they will face European powerhouses Germany, who top the group with six points, on Monday.

The African champions will most probably need to defeat Germany in their final game to stay in contention for a top-four finish.

Egypt lost to Slovenia and Poland and beat Sweden in their previous three matches. 

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