Autralia 1-1 Egypt [4-2p]: Penalty shootout drama sends Egypt to the last 16 | OneFootball

Egypt came out on top after a penalty shootout in a cagey affair with Australia to secure their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Egypt opened the scoring through Emam Ashour after just 13 minutes, when he guided a header past patrick Beach and into the bottom corner. However, an unfortunate own goal from Mohamed Hany brought Australia back on level terms in the 54th minute, when the ball flicked off his head and into the back of his own net for the second time this tournament. Nothing could seperate the two sides before the 90 was brought to an end, meaning they headed to extra time.

More of the same followed in the additional 30 minutes, sending the game to a penalty shootout. Hossam Abdelmaguid was the man to score the winning penalty after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington failed to convert for Australia.

As it happened

Australia boss Tony Popovic named an unchanged XI for this one following his side’s 0-0 draw with Paraguay in their final group game. Mohamed Salah was able to start for Egypt after overcoming a minor hamstring strain. They named a side featuring five changes from their draw with Iran, most notably Omar Marmoush returning to the side, whilst Mohanad Lasheen missed out through suspension after accruing two yellow cards in the group stage.

Cristian Volpato came inches away from a goal of the tournament contender after just five minutes, when his long-range strike clipped the crossbar. Five minutes later, Mostafa Ziko was brought down on the corner of the box and provided a superb set-piece opportunity for Egypt. The opportunity was taken, after a clever routine saw a shot blocked before the ball was whipped back into the area and headed home by Ashour at the far post.

Australia looked to bring themselves back level immediately; however, Aiden O’Neill dragged his shot wide of the post. Ziko bared down on the Socceroos’ goal in the 20th minute, looking to double his side’s lead before firing wide and being flagged offside anyway.

Some cause for concern from an Egypt standpoint came on the half-hour mark, when Hany required medical treatment after being caught by Nestory Irankunda, who had been fouled himself. Hany was fit to carry on after the stoppage.

Australia registered their first shot on target 10 minutes before half-time, but Aziz Behich’s shot was easily dealt with by Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir in the Egyptian goal. Shobeir did well again moments later, racing off his line to deny Irakunda a goal-scoring opportunity after he’d broken free in the area as Australia continued to grow into the game.

Very few more chances presented themselves before the break, meaning Egypt headed in with a slender lead. Australia made a change during the interval, with Kai Trewin replacing Jordan Boss, who suffered an injury after a heavy challenge on the stroke of half-time.

Marmoush broke free from the Aussie defence in the opening seconds of the second half, but he was unable to find the target in a one-on-one situation. Further issues followed for Hany minutes later, who clashed with Connor Metcalfe inside his own area, leaving the Egyptian seemingly out cold on the floor. Amazingly, he carried on once he was back on his feet.

Perhaps he shouldn’t have, though, as Australia got their equaliser in the 54th minute, when the ball skimmed off Hany’s head and into the back of his own net. Salah looked to regain Egypt’s lead five minutes later, but he was flagged offside before delivering the ball into the box.

A double change followed for Egypt, which saw Ziko and Hamdi Faithi replaced by Haissem Hassan and Hossam Abdelmaguid. Ashour looked to net his second of the game with little more than 15 minutes of regular time remaining, but he dragged his shot well wide.

Further changes followed for Australia, with Irankunda and Volpato withdrawn in favour of Mohamed Touré and Ajdin Hrustic. Egypt also made another substitution, as they looked to get this game done inside 90 minutes, Trezeguet replaced Karim Hafez.

Hassan put the first real threat on the Australia goal for the first time in 40 minutes when he whipped a delicious cross into the box. However, Beach equalled it and palmed the ball away from danger. At the other end of the pitch, the Socceroos won a corner, which was delivered by Hrustic to no avail.

As five minutes of additional time were announced, Trezeguet won Egypt a corner of their own, which yielded the same non-success. Egypt continued to push for a second goal, with Trezeguet and Hassan their main threat. However, their biggest chance fell to Rami Rabia, who forced an unbelievable save out of Beach. The resultant corner saw the keeper catch Salah’s volley with relative ease. One more chance came the way of Hassan in the dying seconds, but Harry Souttar was able to block the strike, sending the game to extra time.

Popovic made a double change to his side ahead of the additional 30 minutes, with Metcalfe and O’Neill replaced by Awer Mabil and Paul Okon-Engstler. The first shot of the extra time went the way of Egypt, but Salah snatched at the volley, meaning he fired high and wide.

The first yellow card of the match came in the 104th minute, when Behich was fouled by Hassan. Egypt made a change at the break during extra time, with 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim replacing Marmoush, who will rue his missed chance at the start of the second half.

Souttar made another crucial block to prevent an Egyptian goal with just nine minutes left on the clock, this time heading away Ashour’s curling effort. Souttar came up trumps yet again moments later, sliding in to thwart Salah, who had danced his way into the penalty area.

Hassan continued to carry a huge threat for Egypt, this time dribbling past two defenders before winning a corner, which was eventually cleared away by Australia as they continued to weather the storm.

Once they managed to get out of their own half, Mabil won a free-kick in a dangerous area for his side; however, Mabil’s strike was blocked by the wall. In a strange turn of events, Mathew Ryan replaced Beach as Australia’s final change, as a penalty shootout loomed. Egypt’s final change, meanwhile, saw Mahmoud Saber replace Marwan Ateya.

Australia won another free-kick, this time thanks to Yasser Ibrahim, who was shown a yellow card for his troubles. The ball could’ve ended up anywhere, but it was eventually held by Shobeir, sending the game to penalties.

The referee’s coin toss decided that the penalties would be taken in front of the bulk of the Egyptian fans, but it was Souttar who stepped up first and went from hero to zero by firing well over the crossbar. Saber was first to the plate for Egypt and capitalised on Souttar’s mistake with a superb penalty.

Second for Australia was Jackson Irvine, who converted calmly. Rabia was next up for Egypt and tucked it away to keep his side ahead. Mabil came next for the Socceroos and scored past Shobeir. Salah took Egypt’s third and found the net as expected, with a cheeky panenka.

Lucas Herrington was next for Australia and rattled the crossbar, giving his side an awful lot to do if they were to stay in the tournament. Abdelmaguid stepped up and slotted into the bottom corner to maintain the Pharaohs’ 100% record in the shootout and send them into the last 16 of the tournament.

Penalties

Egypt: Saber ✓ Rabia ✓ Salah ✓ Abdelmaguid ✓