Egypt secured their first World Cup knockout-stage victory by beating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Arlington, Texas.
The win sends Egypt into the last 16, where they will face either Argentina or Cape Verde in Atlanta on Tuesday.
The Pharaohs converted all four of their penalties, with Mahmoud Saber, Ramy Rabia, Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid scoring in the shootout.
Australia brought on goalkeeper Mathew Ryan late in extra time for the penalties, but the change did not work. Harry Souttar sent Australia’s first attempt over the bar before Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil scored.
Salah then converted calmly for Egypt before 18-year-old Lucas Herrington hit the crossbar with Australia’s fourth penalty.
That left Abdelmaguid with the chance to win it. He sent Ryan the wrong way to spark Egyptian celebrations.
Egypt had taken the lead in the 13th minute through Emam Ashour after a set-piece routine involving Salah.
Salah flicked a free-kick into Ashour’s path and, although the first attempt was blocked, Egypt kept the attack alive. Karim Hafez then crossed to the far post, where Ashour rose to head past goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
Egypt created better chances for much of the match, both in normal time and extra time.
Australia equalised in the 55th minute when Mohamed Hany headed an Aiden O’Neill free-kick into his own net.
Hany had earlier been involved in a worrying collision with Connor Metcalfe near Egypt’s goal. Medical staff came onto the pitch and a stretcher was prepared, but he was cleared to continue after a concussion assessment.
The own goal proved to be Australia’s only goal of the match. The Socceroos failed to score from open play in any of their final three games of the tournament after beginning their campaign with a 2-0 win over Turkey.
Egypt almost won the game in stoppage time when Beach produced a sharp save to tip Rabia’s close-range header over the bar.
The pattern continued in extra time, with Egypt keeping more of the ball and forcing Australia to defend a series of corners and attacks.
Australia held on to reach penalties, but their resistance ended in the shootout.
For Australia, the defeat means they remain without a World Cup knockout-stage victory.
For Egypt, it is a landmark win — and a place in the last 16.
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