Mohamed Salah was overcome with joy, while Australia were left to rue a high-stakes call that failed to pay off.
The Socceroos took a major gamble by switching goalkeepers just minutes before the penalty shoot-out, only for the move to unravel as substitute Mat Ryan failed to stop any of Egypt’s spot-kicks.
First-choice keeper Patrick Beach had been one of Australia’s standout performers throughout the tournament and underlined his value again with a sharp close-range reflex save.
Yet Beach was withdrawn late on, leaving manager Tony Popovic facing fierce scrutiny after former Brighton and Arsenal goalkeeper Ryan was unable to get close to Egypt’s penalties.
Salah converted his penalty with trademark composure as Egypt secured their first-ever World Cup knockout victory, winning the shoot-out 4-2 after Emam Ashour’s first-half opener was cancelled out by a Mohamed Hany own goal after the break.
The former Liverpool forward, who was in tears after full time following his audacious dinked penalty, said: “I told the guys, ‘This is the biggest game you will play in your life, don’t let the pressure get to you.’ I am happy we created history today.”
Egypt defeated Australia on penalties to book their place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup
Mohamed Salah, who left Liverpool at the end of the season, was emotional after Egypt’s victory
Laptop pays off but Beach swept away
Why on earth are Egypt watching a compilation of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior? That was the first thought as the television cameras zoomed in on a laptop on the sidelines.
Turns out they were watching every penalty that Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan, now of Spanish side Levante, has faced this season.
It was clear from the clips that the 34-year-old, who has 105 caps, was quick to move and dive one way. Egypt’s players stuttered their run-ups and it came up trumps.
But what a baffling decision from Popovic. Easy to say in hindsight, to be fair. Had Ryan saved just one penalty, it would have been an inspired call.
Hauling off Beach felt weird, though. He was a hero against Turkey in the group stage and made a save-of-the-tournament contender here to deny a Ramy Rabia header from point-blank range.
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At one point, one wondered whether they would name Bondi Beach as Patrick Beach. But Popovic made his bed and the decision backfired.
Fans were perplexed to see Egypt’s players seemingly watching Real Madrid highlights prior to the penalty shootout against Australia – but there was a logical explanation to it
Emam the man outshines the big names
Egypt have a Salah, a Zico and a Trezeguet in their ranks, plus Manchester City star Omar Marmoush – but it is little-known (outside of his homeland at least) star Emam Ashour that is lighting up the World Cup.
The midfielder scored in a vital 1-1 draw against Belgium, which helped Egypt on their way to five points and the knockout stages for the first time, and did so again here.
His goal was well taken, too. He ghosted into the penalty area, found space at the back post and confidently headed home from Karim Hafez’s cross.
Ashour, 28, plays for Al Ahly – as did four other members of the starting XI – in Egypt, where he has scored 30 goals in 86 games from midfield.
He might have thought his time to flourish on the biggest stage had passed him by but, at his first World Cup, he is flourishing.
Substitute Haissem Hassan also looked dangerous. Salah had a quiet first hour or so but started to warm up and caused all sorts of problems in the latter stages.
Emam Ashour is not a household name but he stood out for Egypt in the Australia match-up
Hany’s unwanted record… but Aberdeen-born lad claims goal
Here’s a good pub quiz question for the niche football fans among you: how many own goals have there been in the history of the World Cup?
That’s right, the answer is 67. But who is the only player to help their opposition more than one of those? Poor Ramy, who diverted into his own goal here after doing the same against Belgium two weeks ago.
Leicester defender Harry Souttar, once of Sheffield United, Stoke City and Fleetwood Town, wheeled off in celebration. The Aberdeen-born 6ft 6in star did not get the decisive touch, though, so the goal was not his.
The big lad had an inspired game defensively and Australia maybe deserved more. But ultimately the Aberdonian skied his penalty and that is all he will be remembered for. Scotland’s World Cup woes go on…
