Published July 3, 2026
Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the winning penalty, and Egypt made history by defeating tenacious Australia 4-2 in the penalty shootout and advancing to the World Cup round of 16.
A tense game on Friday in which Egypt and off-collar captain Mohamed Salah squandered good opportunities ended 1-1 in Texas after 120 minutes.
If the reigning champions can avoid a major upset against Cape Verde, who are playing for the first time in the competition, in the last-32 clash, Lionel Messi’s Argentina will come in next behind Egypt.
Either way, the Pharaohs will be celebrating reaching this stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Australia coach Tony Popovich took a final gamble and challenged experienced goalkeeper Matthew Ryan to a penalty shootout.
Defender Harry Souttar converted the first penalty as he fired a shot at the Egyptian fans and, amid a hail of whistles, the Socceroos were immediately put on the back foot.
All five players then scored, with Salah taking the coolest penalty kick before 18-year-old Australian defender Lucas Herrington hit the bar.
Abdelmaqguid had the nerve to send Egypt away, leaving Salah in tears of joy and breaking Australia’s heart.
In the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys, Imam Ashour gave seven-time African champion Egypt the lead with a header just after 13 minutes.
The early goal put the onus on shot-weak Australia, who had scored just two goals in the group phase, to attack in front of a crowd of 70,000.
With Salah almost incapacitated after his injury in the previous game against Egypt, the Socceroos equalized with a header from Mohamed Hani 10 minutes after half-time.
Both teams have a sense of history, with neither having ever won a final round in a Men’s World Cup, and late pressure from Egypt sent the match into extra time.
There was nothing to separate the two sides, and the game went to penalties.
Popovic’s side almost took the lead with less than five minutes left when Cristian Volpato, who moved to Australia from Italy on the eve of the World Cup, clattered over the crossbar.
Egypt looked nervous at the back after defeating New Zealand 3-1 in the group stage for their first win in a World Cup match.
Slightly against the run of play, Hossam Hassan’s team took the lead.
Australia’s forward Nestry Ilankunda failed to pick up Ashour and headed the ball at the back post from Karim Hafez’s cross to score his second goal of the tournament.
The Socceroos had their first shot on target 10 minutes before half-time when full-back Aziz Behic curled a shot past goalkeeper Mostafa Shbir.
His father, Ahmed, played in goal for Egypt at the 1990 World Cup.
Salah, the 34-year-old goalkeeper who came into the match with a hamstring strain, made little impact in an attritional first 45 minutes.
The first half ended with Jordan Voss, one of the fastest players in the tournament, in a heap after a strong flying challenge from Rabia.
The wing-back had to be helped off the pitch, but was replaced by Kai Trewin at half-time, disappointing Australia’s hopes.
Seconds after the restart, Egyptian Manchester City attacker Omar Marmouche slipped the ball wide from close range and it should have been 2-0.
The Egyptian manager had said he was wary of Australia’s physical approach, which was evidenced by Honey heading the Socceroos’ in-swinging free-kick into his own net under pressure.
This was Honey’s second own goal of the tournament.
Former Liverpool superstar Salah remained a peripheral figure but was involved in the build-up as Australian stopper Patrick Veach made a deep save in stoppage time to keep Lamy at bay and push on for another half-hour.
Egypt ended the regular period on the stronger side, Salah firing with his weak right foot early in extra time, and a penalty looked increasingly inevitable.
However, as Egypt won, Salah was set to prove more reliable in the shooting game.
Egypt will next face the winner of the last-32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Atlanta on Tuesday.
