The Egyptian team wrote a historic page in the 2026 World Cup by defeating Australia 4-2 in the penalty shootout, after drawing 1-1 in 120 minutes, and qualifying for the first time in the round of 16 by overcoming a World Cup qualifier.
The African team took the lead in the 13th minute with a header from Emam Ashour. Australia reacted in the second half and equalized thanks to an own goal by Mohamed Hany, also with a header, in the 55th minute.
The match had few clear chances and was marked by tension. Neither team managed to break the tie either in regulation time or in extra time, so the ticket was decided from the penalty spot.
Egypt was impeccable in the shootout and converted all four of their shots. Australia, on the other hand, missed two decisive shots: Harry Souttar sent his shot over the crossbar and Lucas Herrington hit the ball against the crossbar.
The bet of the Australian coach, Tony Popovic, did not work either. In the 119th minute he replaced goalkeeper Patrick Beach with the experienced Mathew Ryan thinking about penalties, but the newly introduced goalkeeper could not stop any of the Egyptian shots. Beach had been one of the figures of the match when he spectacularly saved a shot from Ramy Rabia in added time.
Mohamed Salah, who came into the match with doubts due to an injury, had a discreet performance during the game, but took responsibility in the definition and converted his penalty with an elegant Panenka-style shot.
“If anyone was going to do it, it was going to be me. I have more experience than others,” Salah declared.
The striker also highlighted the significance of the victory for his country.
“We have made history. I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on, that the pressure won’t affect us.”
Egypt will face the winner of the duel between Argentina and Cape Verde in the round of 16.
For the pharaohs it is a historical classification. Their only previous presence in this instance had been in Italy 1934, when the tournament began directly in the round of 16 and they were eliminated by Hungary. In their participations in 1990 and 2018, they failed to make it past the group stage.
Australia, for its part, once again fell short of breaking the barrier of World Cup qualifying. After reaching the round of 16 in 2006 and 2022, they still have not achieved a victory in a direct elimination match.
Coach Tony Popovic regretted the elimination, although he highlighted his team’s effort.
“This is tough, but I think we have shown the world that Australian football is strong. I am devastated,” said the Australian coach.
The defeat also confirmed the poor performance of the Asian Football Confederation representatives in the tournament, as both Australia and Japan were eliminated in the round of 32.
