By Nadia Ntiamoah
Egypt have reached the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the first time after defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties in Dallas on July 3, 2026, following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
It is a historic breakthrough for the Pharaohs. Egypt had appeared at three previous World Cups in 1934, 1990 and 2018 but had never gone beyond the group stage. Under head coach Hossam Hassan, that record has now been rewritten.
The match began with Australia having the better of early possession, but Egypt struck first in the 13th minute. Mohamed Salah played a short free-kick to Emam Ashour. His shot was blocked and Mohamed Hafez swung the loose ball back in. Ashour, left unmarked, powered a downward header past goalkeeper Patrick Beach to put Egypt 1-0 up.
Australia responded and came close before halftime, but Egypt held their lead into the break. Seconds after the restart Egypt should have doubled it. Omar Marmoush broke clear but dragged his shot wide.
That miss allowed Australia back into the game. Their pressure told in the 65th minute when a cross caused confusion in the Egypt box. Mohamed Hany, trying to clear, turned the ball into his own net to make it 1-1.
Both teams pushed for a winner late on. In stoppage time, Salah delivered a cross that Ramy Rabia met with a strong header, but Beach produced a superb reflex save to tip it over and send the game to extra time.
The extra 30 minutes brought chances at both ends. Ahmed Hassan came on and added energy for Egypt. Salah missed a big opportunity early in extra time, firing over from close range after a good run from Marmoush. Hassan caused problems down the right. For Australia, defender Harry Souttar made several key interventions to keep the score level.
With penalties approaching, both coaches made changes. Australia replaced Beach with veteran captain Mat Ryan, a move aimed at the shootout. Egypt brought on Ahmed Saber as a specialist taker.
The shootout started badly for Australia. Souttar blazed the first kick over the bar. Saber converted for Egypt. Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil scored for Australia, and Rabia and Salah replied for Egypt. Salah’s kick was the highlight, a calm Panenka down the center as Ryan dived to his left.
Australia’s fourth penalty was taken by 18-year-old Lucas Herrington and it hit the crossbar. That gave Yasser Abdelmaguid the chance to win it. The defender stepped up and placed his shot into the bottom corner as Ryan went the wrong way. Egypt won 4-2.
The result puts Egypt into the last 16 and sends Australia home after a spirited performance that forced the game beyond regulation time. For Egypt, the combination of defensive discipline, moments of quality from Salah, and composure from the spot ended decades of World Cup frustration and set up a place in the knockout stage for the first time.
