Mohammed Salah was in tears after Egypt overcame Australia in a penalty shootout to secure their inaugural victory in the World Cup knockout phase and establish a round of 16 matchup with Argentina.
Salah effortlessly converted a Panenka before defender Hossam Abdelmaguid netted the crucial penalty for the Pharaohs, who triumphed 4-2 in the shootout after Australia defenders Harry Souttar and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington failed to score.
Egypt gained the advantage unexpectedly at Dallas Stadium during their initial knockout game since 1934 when a free Emam Ashour struck Karim Hafez’s right-side cross past Patrick Beuch after 13 minutes.
His second goal of the tournament indicated that his team has netted more goals at this final (six) than they achieved in their last three participations in 1934, 1990, and 2018.
Australia’s narrative might have changed if Cristian Volpato’s 25-yard shot from outside the box hadn’t hit the top of the crossbar after five minutes.
The Socceroos faced a daunting challenge, having only won one of their last 15 World Cup matches after falling behind.
They had opportunities to equalize, with the most enticing arriving nine minutes before halftime when the ball fell to Aziz Behich in the box after a set-piece.
Manchester City attacker Omar Marmoush wasted a brilliant chance to increase Egypt’s advantage just 10 seconds into the second half, sending a shot wide while on goal.
They soon regretted that mistake 10 minutes later when Egypt defender Mohamed Hany redirected Aiden O’Neill’s free-kick from the left past Shobeir, becoming just the second player in World Cup history to score two own goals in one tournament.
It marked the 13th own goal of this tournament, exceeding the previous record of 12 set in 2018.
Australia faced a tense moment late in the game, pushing the match into extra time as keeper Beach astonishingly contorted midair to extend his left hand and thwart Ramy Rabia, who connected with a brilliant 94th-minute Salah cross with a powerful header.
A tense match stayed tied after extra time, but Egypt kept their composure in the penalty shootout.
Australia substituted keeper Beach for the more seasoned Mat Ryan following extra time in anticipation of penalties.
However, the ex-Brighton goalkeeper couldn’t stop any as Egypt executed their penalty kicks perfectly through Mahmoud Saber, Rabia, Salah, and finally Abdelmaguid.
Souttar sent the initial shot for Australia over, and Herrington hit the crossbar, whereas Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil scored.
At the end of the evening, Salah was crying.
This time, in contrast to 2018, when his team was eliminated from the tournament, it was for justifiable reasons.
The 34-year-old forward found it difficult to manage his emotions after Egypt made history, as they joined Morocco in the last 16, marking the first occasion two African countries secured a knockout win 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.”
Salah’s performance wasn’t vintage, yet he generated a few late opportunities prior to his bold 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 Egyptians will wish for additional tears of joy to arrive in Atlanta next week.
For Australia, it marked a third loss in as many World Cup knockout games, with South Korea in 2002 being the last team from the Asian confederation to experience such an achievement.
