Egypt have finally achieved what previous generations of the national team could not. The Pharaohs not only reached the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but also made history by winning their first-ever World Cup knockout match, defeating Australia in a dramatic penalty shootout after an intense battle in Dallas.

The contest began at a high tempo, with both sides looking to impose themselves early. Cristian Volpato came within inches of giving Australia the lead in the fifth minute, rattling the crossbar with a powerful strike from distance. Egypt, however, responded in ruthless fashion. In the 13th minute, following a well-worked free-kick routine and a second-phase attack, Emam Ashour found himself unmarked inside the box and calmly headed home to put the Pharaohs 1-0 in front.

Despite the early breakthrough, the first half failed to produce many clear-cut opportunities. Both teams struggled to create meaningful openings, and the match settled into a tactical battle before the interval.

The game burst back into life immediately after the restart. Omar Marmoush, now representing Manchester City, squandered a golden opportunity to double Egypt's advantage when he raced clear of the defence but sent his finish narrowly wide of the post.

That miss proved costly. Moments later, Australia drew level in dramatic fashion. In the 55th minute, Mohamed Hany, who had only recently recovered after being left dazed in a heavy collision, inadvertently turned the ball into the top corner of his own net while attempting to clear the danger, making it 1-1.

With the scores level once again, the game slipped into another cautious spell before Egypt launched one final push in the closing stages of normal time. Mohamed Salah delivered a superb diagonal pass to Rabea, whose powerful effort was brilliantly tipped over by the Australian goalkeeper. Seconds later, Emam Ashour looked destined to score again, only for towering defender Harry Souttar to produce a crucial block.

Harry Souttar had been one of Australia's standout performers throughout the tournament, but the penalty shootout told a different story. His missed spot-kick, fired over the crossbar, immediately handed the initiative to Egypt. Australia's hopes faded completely when teenage midfielder Lucas Herrington, the youngest player ever to start a FIFA World Cup match for the Socceroos, saw his penalty crash against the crossbar.

The reward for Egypt is a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, where the Pharaohs will face the winner of the clash between Argentina and Cape Verde.

World Cup 2026

Australia - Egypt 1:1 (0:1), shoot-out 2:4
Goals: Ashour, 13 (0:1); Hany, 55 (own goal) (1:1)

Australia: Beach (Ryan M., 119); Circati; Souttar H.; Herrington; Bos (Trewin, 46); Behich; Metcalfe (Mabil, 91); O`Neill (Okon-Engstler, 91); Volpato C. (Hrustic, 74); Irvine J.; Irankunda (Touré M., 74)
Substitution: Trewin (from 46); Touré M. (from 74); Hrustic (from 74); Okon-Engstler (from 91); Mabil (from 91); Ryan M. (from 119)
Bench: Izzo; Geria; Burgess; Degenek; Devlin; Velupillay; Yengi

Egypt: Shobeir; Hany; Ibrahim; Rabia; Hafez (Hassan, 80); Ateya (Saber, 121); Ashour; Fathi H. (Abdelmaguid, 67); Salah; Ziko (Hassan H., 67); Marmoush (Abdelkarim, 106)
Substitution: Abdelmaguid (from 67); Hassan H. (from 67); Hassan (from 80); Abdelkarim (from 106); Saber (from 121)
Bench: El Shenawy M.; Soliman; Alaa M.; Alaa T.; Nabil Dunga; Zizo; Adel
Yellow Cards: Hassan H. 105; Ibrahim 120