TEXAS: Egypt booked a place in the last 16 for the first time after edging Australia in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time at the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash on Saturday.
Australia captain Harry Souttar opted to take the first penalty in the shootout but blazed his effort over the crossbar. Hossam Hassan’s men, however, remained clinical as their next five players, including Salah, all converted from the spot.
Australia 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington was the last to stand in Egypt’s way, but struck the woodwork, sealing Egypt’s place in the last 16.
Midfielder Emam Ahsour opened the scoring for the Pharaohs in the 13th minute, but the momentum shifted in the second half as Mohamed Hany’s own goal in the 55th minute leveled the scoreline for Australia.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Ashour hit a timely header after Mohamed Salah’s free kick was thwarted; however, the ball went to Karim Hafez, who curled back to the far post, with Ashour sending a header to the left corner of the net.
The early goal put Soccoroes on the back foot, as they could not take aim at Egypt’s goalposts in the first-half.
After the break, the Asian side took a more aggressive approach, resulting in a goal in the 55th minute. Haney, who suffered a concussion a few minutes before, headed into his own net. This was Hany’s second own goal of the tournament.
Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!
Former Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah remained a peripheral figure but was involved in the build-up as Australian stopper Patrick Beach saved athletically deep in added time to keep out Ramy and force another 30 minutes.
Egypt finished normal time the stronger and Salah fired well over early in extra time on his weaker right foot, with penalties looking increasingly inevitable.
Salah, though, was to prove more reliable in the shootout as Egypt triumphed.
After the win, Egypt will now face Cape Verde or Argentina in the last 16.
READ: Record-equalling Novak Djokovic powers into Wimbledon last 16
