Celebrations over Egypt’s historic World Cup win spilled into disorder on London’s streets, as supporters confronted police, climbed onto a double-decker bus and brought traffic to a halt.
Hundreds of fans gathered on Edgware Road on Friday night after Egypt’s dramatic penalty shootout victory against Australia, turning the north-west London street into a packed celebration zone.
But the mood became increasingly chaotic as the crowds grew and the busy road was overwhelmed by supporters.
Video from the scene showed police struggling with shirtless fans while large groups poured across the carriageway, stopping vehicles in their tracks, as chants of “Free Palestine” rang out along the street.
In one heated moment, two officers were seen grappling with a supporter as others shouted around them, before fellow revellers pulled the man away from the confrontation.
With music blasting in the background, fans moved between stranded cars and buses, while some climbed onto the vehicles as the celebrations continued.
Further down the road, topless supporters stood on the roof of a double-decker bus, waving Egyptian flags and shouting to the cheering crowd below.
Edgware Road, often referred to as “Little Cairo,” has long-standing ties to Egypt and is lined with Middle Eastern and Arab cafes and shisha bars, many of which are likely to have shown the match.
Dramatic footage from the scene captured police officers wrestling with shirtless fans as crowds spilled across the road
Topless fans who had scaled the roof of a double decker bus waved Egyptian flags while shouting down to the cheering and whistling crowd below
As music blared out in the background, fans weaved between marooned vehicles, which included a line of buses, while some chose to clamber on top of them
The celebrations erupted after Egypt secured their first ever World Cup knockout victory since 1934, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties at Dallas Stadium following the 6pm BST kick-off.
ALSO READ: Texas Sisters Charged in Fatal Stabbing of Mother of Five
Elsewhere on Edgware Road, footage captured the moment a grey 4×4 car drove through a section of the crowd, where many were still celebrating while wearing Egypt football team shirts.
Seconds later, the car collides with a man wearing a backpack as he crossed the road, leaving him sitting motionless in the middle of the road. Undeterred, the car continues to drive down the road.
Bystanders sprinted down the road to help the injured victim, lifting him to his feet, while others ran after the fleeing driver in an attempt to catch the driver.
National treasure and captain Mohammad Salah, named the ‘Egyptian King’, was in tears after Egypt made history.
It joins Morocco in the last 16, which also made it the first time two African nations had won a knockout match at a single World Cup.
For Australia, the outcome marked a third defeat in as many World Cup knockout matches.
With the Socceroos heading home, Egypt will have a last 16 tie with either Argentina or Cape Verde in Atlanta on Tuesday July 7 at 5pm BST.
Footage captured the moment a grey 4×4 car drove through a section of the crowd, where many were still celebrating while wearing Egypt football team shirts
Seconds later, the car collides with a man wearing a backpack as he crossed the road, leaving him sitting motionless in the middle of the road
Bystanders sprinted down the road to help the injured victim, lifting him to his feet, while others ran after the fleeing driver in an attempt to catch the driver
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
