Egypt sink Australia on penalties to reach historic World Cup last 16

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Egypt beat Australia on penalties

By Trust Ittai 


Egypt made history by defeating Australia on penalties to secure their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout victory and book a place in the round of 16, where they will face either Argentina or Cape Verde.


Defender Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the decisive penalty as the Pharaohs triumphed 4-2 in the shootout after the match ended 1-1 following extra time. Australia were left to rue misses from Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington.


Playing in their first World Cup knockout fixture since 1934, Egypt stunned the Socceroos by taking a 13th-minute lead against the run of play. 


Emam Ashour, left unmarked in the penalty area, powered home Karim Hafez's cross from the right beyond goalkeeper Patrick Beach.


Ashour's second goal of the tournament also saw Egypt surpass their combined scoring tally from their previous three World Cup appearances in 1934, 1990 and 2018, taking their total to six goals at the tournament.


Australia had threatened early, with Cristian Volpato rattling the crossbar from 25 yards just five minutes into the contest. 


However, the Socceroos once again found themselves chasing the game, having won only one of their previous 15 World Cup matches after conceding first.


They created several opportunities to equalise before the interval, the best falling to Aziz Behich after a set-piece. 


But the Melbourne City defender failed to beat Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir from close range.


Egypt nearly doubled their advantage moments after the restart when Omar Marmoush broke through on goal, only to drag his effort wide within 10 seconds of the second half.


That miss proved costly as Australia drew level in the 55th minute through a slice of fortune. 


Mohamed Hany inadvertently turned Aiden O'Neill's free-kick into his own net, becoming only the second player in World Cup history to score two own goals in the same tournament.


The match remained finely balanced, with Australia surviving a dramatic stoppage-time scare. 


Patrick Beach produced a stunning save to keep out Ramy Rabia's powerful header from Mohamed Salah's cross in the 94th minute.


Salah, who was passed fit after concerns over a hamstring injury, continued to influence proceedings in extra time, creating another opening for Haissem Hassan, whose goal-bound effort was brilliantly blocked by Souttar.


With neither side able to find a winner after 120 minutes, the contest was settled from the penalty spot. 


Egypt kept their composure, with Salah among the successful takers before Abdelmaguid calmly converted the winning kick to send the Pharaohs into the last 16 for the first time in their history.

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