Egypt Make History in Dallas, Dumping Australia Out on Penalties

Egypt beat Australia on Penalties

After a 0-0 draw, Egypt won their first World Cup knockout match ever, beating Australia on penalties to set up a Round of 16 clash with Argentina or Cape Verde.

Salah’s Panenka sends Egypt past Australia into World Cup round of 16. for first time in 92 years...

Egypt made history with their first ever World Cup knockout win, edging Australia 4-2 in a penalty shootout in Dallas. The result sends them to the Round of 16, where they’ll face either defending champions Argentina or Cape Verde.

Australia nearly struck early in Texas. Cristian Volpato unleashed a long-range shot in the 5th minute that rattled the crossbar. Moments later, Rami Rabia came up with a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Jordan Bos, who had burst straight through Egypt’s defense and looked certain to score.

 

But Egypt struck first with their first shot on target in the 13th minute. Karim Hafez whipped in a perfect cross and Emam Ashour met it at the back post, diving low to head it home.

Australia started to find their footing after that, but Egypt still looked sharper going forward.

By the 30-minute mark the Socceroos still hadn’t tested the keeper. When Aziz Behich finally did, Mostafa Shobeir was right there to save it. Egypt controlled the ball and completed over 100 more passes, a sign of how much they bossed the half. Mo Salah was quiet though as halftime approached.

Egypt were still on top when the referee blew for halftime, leaving Tony Popovic with plenty to think about in the dressing room.

Egypt came out flying. Just 10 seconds into the second half Omar Marmoush found himself clean through, but he couldn’t even get his shot on target. Australia responded almost immediately - Connor Metcalfe got up at the back post, but instead of heading it on goal he ended up clattering into Mohamed Hany.

Things got worse for Hany moments later. He turned a dangerous Australian free-kick into his own net with an unfortunate deflection.

Egypt were still on top when the referee blew for halftime, leaving Tony Popovic with plenty to think about in the dressing room.

Egypt came out flying. Just 10 seconds into the second half Omar Marmoush found himself clean through, but he couldn’t even get his shot on target. Australia responded almost immediately - Connor Metcalfe got up at the back post, but instead of heading it on goal he ended up clattering into Mohamed Hany.

Things got worse for Hany moments later. He turned a dangerous Australian free-kick into his own net with an unfortunate deflection.

Big chances were hard to come by after that, until Egypt turned up the heat late. Patrick Beach pulled off a stunning one-handed save to deny Ramy Rabia’s thumping header, and then Harry Souttar threw himself in front of Haisem Hassan’s shot to force extra time.

Mo Salah finally got his first real chance of the night but blasted it over from a good position. From there the game slipped back into the same cagey pattern.

 

The extra 30 minutes produced very little in front of goal. With two minutes to go, Australia made a change and brought Mathew Ryan on for Patrick Beach - clearly a move aimed at getting a penalty shootout hero.

It backfired straight away. Harry Souttar smashed the first penalty over the bar, giving Egypt - who had lost their last four shootouts - the early edge, and they never let it go. Salah added some flair with a cheeky Panenka, and when 18-year-old Lucas Herrington missed for Australia, Hossam Abdelmaguid stepped up and buried it to send Egypt into the Round of 16.