ARLINGTON:
Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the successful penalty as Egypt made historical past by beating a dogged Australia 4-2 on penalties to succeed in the World Cup final 16 on Friday.
A tense affair through which Egypt and their off-colour captain Mohamed Salah wasted the higher probabilities had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes in Texas.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina loom subsequent for Egypt, so long as the reigning champions keep away from a large upset towards match debutants Cape Verde of their last-32 encounter.
“It is historical past,” stated Salah, who was emotional after his nation gained a World Cup knockout recreation for the primary time.
“I instructed the boys earlier than the sport that that is the largest stage you possibly can play on. Take pleasure in it and do not let the strain get to you.”
Australia coach Tony Popovic threw on skilled goalkeeper Mathew Ryan for the penalty shootout in a last-gasp gamble.
Capturing in the direction of the Egypt followers and whistles raining down, defender Harry Souttar blazed the primary penalty over to place the Socceroos on the instant backfoot.
The following 5 gamers all scored, together with Salah with the best of penalties, earlier than 18-year-old Australia defender Lucas Herrington hit the bar.
Abdelmaguid saved his nerve to ship Egypt by to go away Salah in tears of pleasure and break Australia hearts.
“If someone was going to do it, it might be me,” Salah stated of his cheeky chipped penalty.
“I’m extra skilled than others and I needed to present them confidence. I made a decision final minute, I needed to do it.”
Emam Ashour had given seven-time African champions Egypt the lead from a header after 13 minutes on the dwelling of the Dallas Cowboys.
The early purpose put the onus on Australia who scored solely twice within the group part to assault in entrance of a crowd of 70,000.
With Salah largely ineffective following damage in Egypt’s final recreation, the Socceroos equalised 10 minutes after half-time when Mohamed Hany headed into his personal internet.
Either side sensed historical past, neither having gained a knockout recreation earlier than at a males’s World Cup, and so they went to further time after some late Egypt strain.
With nothing to divide them they went to penalties.
Salah on fringes
Popovic’s facet had almost taken the lead with lower than 5 minutes gone as Cristian Volpato — who switched to Australia from Italy on the eve of the World Cup — rattled the highest of the crossbar.
Egypt, who gained a World Cup match for the primary time within the group part after they beat New Zealand 3-1, appeared nervy on the again.
Barely towards the run of play Hossam Hassan’s males took the lead.
Australia ahead Nestory Irankunda failed to select up Ashour, who headed dwelling on the again put up from a cross by Karim Hafez for his second purpose of the match.
The Socceroos had their first shot on track 10 minutes earlier than the break when full-back Aziz Behich fired tamely at goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir.
His father, Ahmed, performed in purpose for Egypt on the 1990 World Cup.
The 34-year-old talisman Salah, who got here into the match after a hamstring pressure, made little impression in an attritional first 45 minutes.
The half ended with Jordan Bos, one of many quickest gamers on the match, in a heap after a flying problem from Rabia.
The wing-back needed to be helped from the pitch and was changed at half-time by Kai Trewin in a blow to Australian hopes.
Seconds after the restart it ought to have been 2-0 when Egypt’s Manchester Metropolis attacker Omar Marmoush slid the ball off-target from shut vary.
Egypt’s coach had stated he was cautious of Australia’s bodily strategy, and so it proved as Hany headed underneath strain into his personal internet from an in-swinging free-kick.
It was Hany’s second personal purpose of the match.
Former Liverpool celebrity Salah remained a peripheral determine however was concerned within the build-up as Australian stopper Patrick Seaside saved athletically in added time to maintain out Ramy and drive one other half-hour.
Egypt completed regular time the stronger and Salah fired effectively over early in further time on his weaker proper foot, with penalties wanting more and more inevitable.