Egypt beats Australia on penalties and advances to the round of 16 for the first time

The Pharaohs (the African team's nickname) launched an attack in extra time, but without success. However, the quality of the Egyptians made the difference in defining the place in the penalty shootout. From the first kick, Australian defender Souttar isolated the ball and then Herrington also missed the ball on the post. On the Egyptian side, Sabar, Rabia, number 10 Mohamed Salah, with a dig, and finally defender Hossan Abdelmaguid, scored.

In their fourth participation in the World Cup, the Pharaohs have already rewrote history three times in this edition: they achieved their first victory in the tournament (3-1 against New Zealand in the group stage), advanced to the second stage, and today guaranteed their place in the round of 16.

In the next phase, Egypt will face the winner of the clash between current world champions Argentina and Cape Verde, who will face each other at 7pm (Brasília time) this Friday (3), in Miami (USA).

Australia's equalizer takes the game to extra time in Dallas! #FIFAWorldCup

The first half has barely started and Volpato barely opens the scoring for the Australians. Unmarked, the number 20 receives the ball in the middle of the field, advances and risks a bomb from outside the area, which hits the crossbar of Shobeir's goal. Then, in the 12th minute, it was Egypt who took the lead in a rehearsed set piece play. Ashour takes a free kick and when the defense deflects the ball falls to the feet of Marmoush, who rolls it for Hafez to raise in the area for Ashour himself to head into the back of the net.

Behind on the scoreboard, the Australians increased their score, but did little attack. The Egyptians began to dictate the pace of the game, betting on long balls. One of them in the 20th minute, when Fathy from the middle line made a perfect throw for Zico to shoot face to face with goalkeeper Shobeir, but the number 11 shot low. Even if he got it right, the goal wouldn't count, as the referee signaled an offside. The game continued slowly: the Australians had difficulty creating plays, and the Egyptians had more possession of the ball, although not very assertive.

Emam Ashour gives Egypt an early lead! #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/nguDy92dPO

After the break, with just 9 seconds, the Egyptians almost expanded in Dallas. Zico passed at the edge of the area for Marmoush to advance, get rid of the marking and hit firmly, with no chance for the goalkeeper, but the ball went close to the right post. The Australians came back from the break more purposeful, with good attacks down the left flank. And it was there, with a free kick, that Australia equalized the score. O’Neill raised it in the area for Souttar, 1.98 tall, to test for the goal, but when he tried to deflect, the Egyptian Hany ended up scoring against.

From then on, the teams became more cautious. The Australians retreated even further and even had chances to score with some aerial balls, but they were not effective. In the final minutes, Salah took a perfect corner to Rabia, who headed it dangerously over goalkeeper Beach, who saved the Australian goal with a great save. Then, in the 50th minute, Salah passed the ball to Hassan for a clear shot, but Souttar managed to deflect it.

Extension

The Egyptians continued with full intensity. In the 2nd minute, Hassan threw it to Marmoush in the penalty area, who rolled for Salah to fire a bomb, but the ball went over the crossbar. In the attack versus defense game, the Egyptians showed more commitment in not taking the game's decision to penalties. In the 12th minute, Ashour came from the center circle and shot dangerously from outside the area, but the ball went to goalkeeper Beach's left.

They made us proud.. as always ??#egyptnt#FIFAWORLDCUP pic.twitter.com/pcJ0Km1dz5

In the second half, the Egyptians planted themselves in the offensive field and accelerated the game. In the 6th minute, Salah rolled into the area for Ashour to hit, but the tall Souttar deflected it wide. Three minutes later, Hassan started down the right, escaped marking and invaded the penalty area, but as he was preparing to cross, he was stopped by Herrington's tackle. In the final stretch, in the Australians' attacking play, Touré was fouled. Hrustic took a shot into the area, the defense cleared it and Touré still tried to shoot, but goalkeeper Shobeir saved it and prevented it. At the last minute, Australia coach Tony Popovic replaced goalkeeper Beach with Maty Rayan, from Levante (Spain), an experienced penalty saver.

Penalties

Australia were the first to charge, but defender Souttar isolated the ball. Afterwards, Sabar moved goalkeeper Rayan and hit the back of the net, opening the scoring for the Egyptians. Then it was Irvine's turn to convert the Australians' first penalty. Then, Rabiat kept Egypt ahead with a precise shot from the left side. On Australia's third kick, Mabili shot low and scored the second.

?? Egypt have qualified for the Round of 16!#FIFAWorldCup

The star Salah then converted for the Farós, with the right to dig. Then, young defender Herrington sent a shot against the post, wasting another penalty for Australia. At this moment, all expectations fell on defender Abdelmaguid, who could seal the Pharaohs' classification, if he got the shot right. And that's exactly what happened: he kicked hard and guaranteed Egypt in the round of 16, with a 4-2 victory.

Read Also: Parreira gets worse and starts breathing again with the help of devices in the ICU