Egypt made history Friday at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when they beat Australia 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a hard-fought 1-1 draw in a Round of 32 match-up in Dallas as the Pharaohs won 4-2 in a Round of 32 battle on Friday for the first time in the tournament, to go through to the Round of 16 for the first time.
The match was deadlocked after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time before Egypt held their nerve in the penalty shootout. Hossam Abdelmaguid took the winning spot kick to lift Egypt into the next round once more, causing players and fans to be overcome with emotion. After the shootout, captain Mohamed Salah (who converted his penalty, the final kick on the spot) was in tears of joy.
Australia's hopes were immediately shattered in the shootout when Harry Souttar hit the crossbar with the first penalty. Egypt took full advantage as their penalty takers remained calm and focused under immense pressure. Then both sides had their second penalty and 18-year-old Australian defender Lucas Herrington failed to convert, allowing Abdelmaguid to take the final penalty to win the match.
Australia coach Tony Popovic made a bold tactical decision just before the shootout by replacing his goalkeeper with veteran Mathew Ryan. But the gamble failed as Ryan couldn’t save any of Egypt’s four successful penalties.
Egypt had started the match brightly and broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Emam Ashour rose highest to head home the opening goal. Australia couldn’t escape the early breakthrough and played at a disadvantage as the Socceroos had struggled throughout the tournament after scoring just two goals during the group stage.
The Australians got their equaliser in the 55th minute, but in some fortunate circumstances. Egypt defender Mohamed Hany accidentally headed the ball into his own net while trying to clear a dangerous delivery. That own goal brought Australia level and Hany became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score two own goals in one tournament.
For all the promising chances Egypt could have had, they failed to take advantage in normal time, with Salah having a relatively quiet performance due to injury problems that affected him in the previous match. Australia defended resolutely, while Egypt had to work hard in the closing stages of regulation as well as extra time and came up short of a winner.
Neither side could make the breakthrough despite the historical opportunity to do so, as both nations were looking forward to winning their first ever World Cup knockout match in a men's football game. It was down to penalties which Egypt managed to dominate in the end and win the game.
The result is one of the biggest moments in Egyptian football history as seven-time African champions finally broke their knockout-stage barrier on the world’s biggest stage. Now that Egypt has so much pride in the historic victory, they will be going to the quarter-finals again in the World Cup and will try to achieve their aim again.
