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Egypt booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Australia 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Dallas Stadium on Friday.
The Pharaohs made the brighter start and took the lead in the 13th minute when Emam Ashour rose to head home a pinpoint cross from Karim Hafez, giving the African side a deserved advantage before half-time.
Australia responded after the break and drew level in the 55th minute when Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany inadvertently turned the ball into his own net under pressure, setting up an evenly contested encounter that remained deadlocked through the remainder of regulation time and extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match was decided from the penalty spot. Egypt held their nerve, converting all four of their spot-kicks through Mahmoud Saber, Ramy Rabia, Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid.
Salah produced one of the standout moments of the shootout, calmly executing a Panenka penalty that deceived Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan to restore Egypt’s advantage.
Australia’s hopes faded after captain Harry Souttar blasted the opening penalty over the crossbar before teenager Lucas Herrington struck the crossbar with the team’s fourth attempt, leaving Egypt needing only one successful kick to seal victory.
Abdelmaguid stepped up and confidently dispatched the decisive penalty into the bottom corner to send the Pharaohs through 4-2 on penalties and spark jubilant celebrations among the Egyptian players and supporters.
The victory sends Egypt into the Round of 16, where they will face either defending champions Argentina or surprise package Cape Verde as they continue their quest for a first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final appearance.
