Egypt made history on Saturday, recording its first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout victory after outlasting Australia in a dramatic penalty shootout, 4-2, at the end of a tense 1-1 draw.
Australia’s gamble to send on veteran goalkeeper Mat Ryan specifically for the shootout backfired. Ryan replaced Patrick Beach with 90 seconds left in regulation—reportedly a predetermined tactic—but failed to guess correctly on any of Egypt’s attempts. The move looked harsh on Beach, who had earlier kept the match level with a superb save on Ramy Rabia, and ultimately proved costly when Harry Souttar ballooned his first attempt and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington rattled the crossbar.
Egypt, meanwhile, was flawless from the spot. Mohamed Salah chipped a cheeky effort down the middle, and the African side converted all four penalties to win its first shootout in five tries.
Egypt Strikes First, Australia Responds
Emam Ashour opened the scoring in the 13th minute. His initial free-kick was blocked, but he followed up with a downward header from the ensuing cross that beat Beach at the right-hand post—Egypt’s first goal in the knockout stages and the 250th of the tournament.
Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush came close moments after halftime, firing just wide, before Rabia’s header was denied by Beach. By then, Australia had equalized. Mohamed Hany, who had earlier taken a heavy blow to the head, inadvertently diverted Aiden O’Neill’s inswinging free-kick into his own net.
It was Hany’s second own goal of the tournament, making him only the second player in World Cup history—after Bulgaria’s Ivan Vutsov in 1966—to score two in the same edition. It was also the 13th own goal of the tournament, setting a new record.
Salah’s Moment and Egypt’s History
Salah admitted he felt the weight of responsibility as Egypt’s leader but revealed he made a late decision on how to take his penalty.
“I decided last minute, I don’t know if it’s my last World Cup so I had to do it,” Salah told BBC One. On the significance of the win, he added: “It’s history: I told the boys before the game this is the biggest stage you can play in your life.”
For Egypt, it was indeed historic—a breakthrough knockout victory, sealed in a shootout, and a statement that the team belongs on the world’s biggest stage.
