Salah's Panenka helps Egypt edge Australia in shootout

FIFA World Cup

Australia 1 – 1 Egypt AET (2 – 4)

Egypt defeated Australia on penalties to claim their first ever win in the World Cup knockout stage and set up a last-16 tie with either Argentina or Cape Verde.

Defender Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the decisive spot-kick for the Pharaohs, who won the shootout 4-2 after Australia defenders Harry Souttar and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington missed their efforts.

Egypt took the lead against the run of play at the Dallas Stadium in their first knockout match since 1934 when an unmarked Emam Ashour powered in Karim Hafez’s right-wing cross beyond Patrick Beach after 13 minutes.

His second goal of the tournament meant his side have scored more goals at these finals (six) than they managed across their previous three appearances in 1934, 1990 and 2018.

It could have been a different story for Australia had Cristian Volpato’s 25-yard effort from outside of the area not clipped the top of the crossbar after five minutes.

After winning only one of their previous 15 World Cup matches when conceding first, it was always going to be a difficult task for the Socceroos.

They had chances to restore parity, with the most inviting coming nine minutes before the break when the ball dropped to Aziz Behich inside the area following a set-piece.

However, the Melbourne City defender – who has scored only three times in 87 internationals – was unable to provide a finish past Mostafa Shobeir.

Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush spurned a glorious opportunity to double Egypt’s lead within 10 seconds of the second half as he rolled a shot wide when through.

They were made to rue that miss 10 minutes later when Egypt defender Mohamed Hany diverted Aiden O’Neill’s free-kick from the left past Shobeir, becoming only the second player in World Cup history to score two own goals at a single tournament.

It was also the 13th own goal of these finals, surpassing the record of 12 in 2018.

Australia survived a late scare to force extra time when keeper Beach remarkably twisted in the air to stretch out a left hand to deny Ramy Rabia, who met a 94th-minute Mohamed Salah cross with a thumping header.

A tense tie remained level after extra time, but Egypt held their nerve in the shootout, with Salah scoring with a Panenka.

Australia had replaced keeper Beach with the more experienced Mat Ryan at the end of extra time in preparation for penalties.

But the former Brighton stopper was unable to make a save as Egypt were flawless with their spot-kicks from Mahmoud Saber, Rabia, Salah and, finally, Abdelmaguid.

Souttar fired the first one for Australia over and Herrington struck the bar, while Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil converted.

Analysis: Salah’s tears of joy as Egypt make history

By the end of the night, Salah was in tears.

Only this time – unlike when his side exited the competition in 2018 – it was for the right reasons.

The 34-year-old forward struggled to contain his emotions after Egypt made history and, in joining Morocco in the last 16, also made it the first time two African nations had won a knockout match at a single World Cup.

“It’s history. I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on,” said Salah, whose side had lost their last four shootouts in major tournaments. “Enjoy it and don’t let the pressure get to you.

“I’m glad that we managed to win the game. Bad luck to them. I’m happy that we made history.”

It was not a vintage performance from Salah, but he created a couple of late chances before his audacious Panenka penalty in the shootout.

“If somebody was going to do it, it would be me!” added the frontman, who has yet to sign for a new club after leaving Liverpool last month.

“I am more experienced than the others and I wanted to give them confidence. I decided at the last minute. I had to do it.”

The Egyptian will hope there are more tears of happiness to come in Atlanta next week.

For Australia, it was a third defeat in as many World Cup knockout matches, with South Korea in 2002 the last side from the Asian confederation to taste such success.