Egypt booked their place in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties following a gripping 1-1 draw after extra time in their Round of 32 clash on Friday.
The Pharaohs made the brighter start and took the lead in the 13th minute when Emam Ashour finished confidently after being set up by Karim Hafez.
Australia fought back after the break and were handed an equaliser in the 55th minute when Egypt defender Mohamed Hany inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, leaving the contest finely balanced.
Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or throughout extra time, despite both teams creating opportunities in a tense encounter.
With the scores locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes, the match was decided by a penalty shootout, where Egypt held their nerve to claim a 4-2 victory and secure their place in the knockout stage.
The victory sends the North Africans into the last 16, where they will face the winners of the Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
