Egypt secured a place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup this Friday by beating Australia in the penalty shootout, after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of play. The team led by Hossam Hassan won the series from the eleven steps by 2-4 and now awaits the winner of the match between Argentina and Cape Verde to meet their next rival.

The qualification represents a milestone for the Egyptian team, which reached this stage for the first time in a World Cup. Mohamed Salah, despite arriving at the match with physical discomfort in his hamstrings, ended up being one of the figures of the day and left an outstanding image by converting his shot by hitting the ball at the moment of greatest pressure.

Although the score remained tied for much of the match, both teams had opportunities to avoid extra time. However, the lack of offensive forcefulness and several errors in the definition kept the uncertainty until the final round.

A match with alternatives and an outcome from the eleven steps

Egypt took the initiative from the start thanks to their control of the ball and the facilities they found behind the Australian defensive line. That superiority was rewarded in the 13th minute, when a free kick taken by Salah led to a defective rejection and Hamdy Fathy sent the ball back into the area for Emam Ashour to connect with an unopposed header and score 1-0.

The African team was close to widening the gap before the half hour mark. Mustafa Zico wasted a one-on-one against Patrick Beach by crossing his shot too far, while Omar Marmoush also missed another clear chance shortly before the equalizer.

Australia, which had started the match with a deflected shot by Cristian Volpato, found equality thanks to an unfortunate action by its rival. In a set piece play, the Egyptian defense accumulated numerous players to neutralize the Australian aerial game, but Mohamed Hany ended up deflecting the ball towards his own goal with the back of his head.

The tie changed the development of the match. Tony Popovic renewed the attack with the additions of Ajdin Hrustic and Mohamed Touré, while Hossam Hassan opted for Trezeguet to seek a greater offensive presence. None of the changes managed to break equality.

Salah, who was physically limited for much of the match, began to influence more frequently in the final stretch. Before the end of regulation time he generated two assists that were close to becoming a goal and, already in extra time, he tried with a high shot and an individual action inside the area that reactivated the Egyptian attack.

Australia also failed to unbalance the score. Aware that qualification could be decided from the penalty spot, Popovic sent Matthew Ryan onto the pitch in the last minute of extra time looking for a decisive performance from the experienced goalkeeper.

The bet did not pay off. In the shootout, the errors of Harry Souttar and Herrington left the Oceanians at a disadvantage, while Egypt showed greater efficiency. Salah assumed responsibility for the most anticipated charge and executed a Panenka-style penalty to put the classification on track.

The victory sealed a historic day for the Pharaohs, who for the first time will compete in the round of 16 of a World Cup and will meet their next rival once the confrontation between Argentina and Cape Verde concludes.

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