- Australia vs Egypt: Pharaohs beat Socceroos on penalties to book a historic FIFA World Cup Round of 16 spot
- Regulation time at Dallas Stadium on Friday ended in a 1-1 draw, with Ashour giving Egypt the lead before Hany’s unfortunate own goal levelled the match.
- Egypt will face either Cabo Verde or Argentina in the Round of 16 next Tuesday in Atlanta.
Egypt are through to the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after edging past a resilient Australia 1-1 (4-2 on penalties) in a pulsating contest on Friday night in Dallas.
Both goals in regulation time came from Egypt. The Pharaohs took the lead through Emam Ashour before Mohamed Hany unfortunately turned the ball into his own net, forcing the match into extra time and eventually penalties.
Egypt converted four of their spot-kicks, while Australia missed two of their four attempts.
Sabir Mahmud, Ramy Rabia, and Mohamed Salah all converted from the spot, with Salah delicately chipping home a brilliant Panenka to equal Egypt’s all-time scoring record.
Hossam Abdelmaguid sealed qualification after Harry Souttar blasted his effort over the bar and Lucas Herrington struck the woodwork, sending Australia out and booking Egypt a Round of 16 clash against either fellow African side Cape Verde or reigning champions Argentina on Tuesday in Atlanta.
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Australia vs Egypt match report
Egypt opened the scoring early in the 13th minute. The move started down the left flank, where Karim Hafez delivered a pinpoint cross into the heart of the box.
Midfielder Ashour timed his run perfectly, rising above the Australian defence to steer a powerful header beyond Patrick Beach.
Australia found their equaliser 10 minutes into the second half from a set-piece. Aiden O’Neill whipped a dangerous free-kick into the Egyptian penalty area.
Under intense pressure from the advancing Australian attackers, Egypt defender Hany inadvertently diverted his attempted clearance into his own net.
Aside from the goals, both sides carved out several promising opportunities to win the match in regulation time.
Australia’s best chance from open play arrived early when Cristian Volpato unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 yards that crashed against the crossbar.
At the other end, Egypt consistently threatened through the inventive play of Salah, whose clever movement and delivery repeatedly exposed the Socceroos’ defence and created dangerous openings for Omar Marmoush.
The biggest moment of regulation time came deep into stoppage time as Egypt piled on relentless pressure.
Australia goalkeeper Beach produced a stunning save to keep his side in the contest, clawing Ramy Rabia’s header over the crossbar.
The defender, who had stayed forward for the corner, met Salah’s cross from the right with a glancing header toward the top-left corner, but Beach who was subbed off later for penaties recovered brilliantly to tip it over.
The additional 30 minutes produced no breakthrough from either side, although Hassan Hossam’s men controlled much of the extra period without finding the decisive goal.
The match ultimately went to penalties, where Egypt held their nerve by converting four of their kicks, while Australia missed two, sending the Pharaohs into the Round of 16.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026