Against the run of play, Egypt took the lead in their first knockout game since 1934. In the 13th minute, Emam Ashour was left unmarked to power home Karim Hafez’s right-wing cross past Patrick Beach.
It was Ashour’s second of the tournament and took Egypt to six goals in 2026 — more than they scored across their previous three World Cups in 1934, 1990 and 2018 combined.
Australia almost responded immediately. Cristian Volpato’s 25-yard strike in the 5th minute clipped the top of the bar. The Socceroos, who had won just 1 of their last 15 World Cup games after conceding first, pushed for an equalizer.
Their best chance came nine minutes before halftime when Aziz Behich found space in the box from a set-piece, but the Melbourne City defender, with only 3 goals in 87 caps, couldn’t beat Mostafa Shobeir.
Egypt should have doubled the lead 10 seconds into the second half, but Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush rolled a one-on-one wide.
They paid for it in the 55th minute. Mohamed Hany inadvertently turned Aiden O’Neill’s free-kick past Shobeir, becoming just the second player in World Cup history to score two own goals at a single tournament.
Australia survived a late scare in stoppage time. Ramy Rabia met a 94th-minute Mohamed Salah cross with a thumping header, but Beach twisted to palm it away. Salah, who started despite a hamstring concern, then set up Haissem Hassan, but Souttar blocked the goalbound effort.
With no winner in extra time, it went to penalties. Australia subbed Beach for veteran Mat Ryan, but it made no difference. Egypt were perfect from the spot through Mahmoud Saber, Rabia, Salah and Abdelmaguid.
Souttar sent Australia’s first penalty over, and Herrington struck the bar. Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil converted, but it wasn’t enough.
The win puts Egypt into the last 16 for the first time in their history. They will now face the winner of Argentina vs Cape Verde.
