Egypt qualified for the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup for the first time in its history after defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 1-1 draw after extra time at Dallas Stadium.
The Pharaohs took the lead through Emam Ashour in the first half, before Australia equalized through Mohamed Hani’s own goal shortly after the start of the second half. Neither team was able to find a winner over 120 minutes, leading to a penalty shootout in Egypt’s first World Cup knockout round match.
Egypt maintained its nerve from a penalty kick, and all four attempts were scored by Mahmoud Saber, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Salah, and Hossam Abdel Majeed. Australia missed the first and fourth penalty kicks, allowing Egypt to achieve a historic 4-2 victory on penalty kicks.
Hossam Hassan’s team will now face the winner from Argentina and Cape Verde in the round of 16.
The Egyptian national team entered the match without injured defenders Ahmed Fattouh and Mohamed Abdel Moneim, while Hamdy Fathi returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. Mohamed Salah also started after overcoming a hamstring problem.
The Pharaohs started the match confidently, controlling the ball and putting early pressure on Australia’s defence.
Their lead came in the 13th minute. Karim Hafez sent a perfect cross into the penalty area, which Ashour rose to meet with a wonderful header that gave Egypt the early lead.
Egypt continued to threaten after the goal, as Omar Marmoush fired a shot wide of the goal from inside the penalty area shortly after. But Australia gradually found their way into the game, and Mustafa Shabbir was called upon to make a brilliant save from Jackson Irvine’s close-range shot in the 35th minute.
Egypt led 1-0 in the first half, but Australia came out of the break with greater strength.
Marmoush had a great opportunity to double Egypt’s lead immediately after the start of the second half, but his shot from close range went wide of the goal. Australia then increased the pressure and equalized in the 55th minute.
A free kick from the left caused confusion inside Egypt’s penalty area, with Hani inadvertently heading the ball into his own net to equalize for the Australians.
Hassan responded with changes in the 67th minute, by introducing Haysem Hassan and Hossam Abdel Majeed instead of Mostafa Zico and Hamdi Fathi.
Mahmoud Trezeguet was later introduced at left-back after Hafez was sent off.
The match became increasingly tense as both teams searched for a decisive goal.
Egypt came closest in stoppage time. Salah sent a dangerous cross to Rami Rabia, who headed into the net from close range, before Haysam Hassan fired a powerful shot in the final minutes, which was blocked by the Australian defense.
After 90 minutes had passed with a 1-1 draw, the team moved to extra time.
The Egyptian national team had more possession of the ball during the additional 30 minutes, but clear opportunities were limited. Salah came close to scoring in the first half of extra time after Haysem Hassan created an opportunity inside the area, but his attempt went over the crossbar.
Australia also faced moments of pressure, but Egypt’s defense held firm as the match approached penalty kicks.
Harry Soutar missed Australia’s first penalty kick, before Saber put Egypt ahead with a successful first kick. Irvine then scored for Australia, but Rabia scored the second penalty kick for Egypt to maintain the Pharaohs’ advantage.
Auer Mabil scored Australia’s third attempt, but Salah responded confidently from a penalty kick. She then missed Australia’s fourth penalty kick, taken by Herrington.
Abdel Majeed stepped into the Egypt national team knowing that a successful kick would bring a historic victory, and he turned it into celebrations among the players and fans.
The win is another historic moment in Egypt’s campaign. After achieving their first ever World Cup finals victory over New Zealand in the group stage, the Pharaohs have now achieved their first ever knockout victory and qualified for the Round of 16 for the first time.