Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the decisive penalty as Egypt made history by defeating Australia 4-2 in a shootout on Friday to reach the World Cup last 16 for the first time.
A tense, hard-fought contest in Texas ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Egypt and their subdued captain Mohamed Salah spurning the better chances before holding their nerve from the spot.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina await in the last 16, provided the reigning champions avoid a major upset against tournament debutants Cape Verde.
Whatever happens in that tie, Egypt will savour a landmark achievement after reaching the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time.
Australia coach Tony Popovic made a dramatic late gamble by introducing veteran goalkeeper Mathew Ryan specifically for the penalty shootout.
The move failed to pay off.
Shooting towards the Egypt supporters amid a chorus of whistles, Harry Souttar blazed Australia’s opening penalty over the crossbar to hand the Pharaohs an immediate advantage.
The next five spot-kicks were all converted, including an ice-cool finish from Salah, before 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington struck the bar.
Abdelmaguid then calmly slotted home the winning penalty, sending Egypt into the last 16, reducing Salah to tears of joy and leaving Australia’s players devastated.
Emam Ashour had given the seven-time African champions the lead after just 13 minutes, rising to head home Karim Hafez’s cross at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The early breakthrough forced Australia, who had scored only twice during the group stage, onto the front foot in front of a crowd of more than 70,000.
With Salah struggling to influence proceedings following the hamstring injury that sidelined him in Egypt’s previous match, the Socceroos levelled 10 minutes into the second half when Mohamed Hany inadvertently headed into his own net.
Neither side had previously won a men’s World Cup knockout match, and with history within touching distance, neither could find a winner before penalties settled the contest.
Salah on the fringes
Australia nearly made the perfect start inside five minutes when Cristian Volpato — who switched his international allegiance from Italy on the eve of the tournament — crashed a shot against the crossbar.
Egypt, who claimed their first-ever World Cup victory in the group stage by beating New Zealand 3-1, looked shaky defensively during the opening exchanges.
Despite Australia’s bright start, Hossam Hassan’s side struck first.
Nestory Irankunda lost track of Ashour, who ghosted in at the back post to head beyond Patrick Beach for his second goal of the tournament.
Australia managed their first effort on target 10 minutes before half-time when Aziz Behich’s tame strike was comfortably gathered by Mostafa Shoubir.
The goalkeeper is following in family footsteps, with his father Ahmed having represented Egypt at the 1990 World Cup.
Salah, returning after a hamstring strain, endured a frustrating first half as Australia largely succeeded in limiting his influence.
The half ended on a sour note for the Socceroos when Jordan Bos, one of the tournament’s quickest players, was left in a heap following a heavy challenge from Rami Rabia.
The wing-back required assistance to leave the field and was replaced at the interval by Kai Trewin.
Egypt should have doubled their lead moments after the restart when Omar Marmoush slid wide from close range.
Instead, Australia were gifted an equaliser.
Under pressure from a dangerous in-swinging free-kick, Hany headed beyond his own goalkeeper for his second own goal of the tournament.
Salah remained largely peripheral but helped create Egypt’s best late opportunity, only for Patrick Beach to produce an excellent save to deny Ramy Rabia in stoppage time and force extra time.
Egypt looked the more likely winners as fatigue set in, but Salah blazed over on his weaker right foot early in the additional period as penalties became inevitable.
This time, however, the Liverpool forward made no mistake, confidently converting in the shootout before Abdelmaguid sealed a famous victory for the Pharaohs.
AFP
