ARLINGTON, TEXAS / EuroWire / – Egypt reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 after beating Australia 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time Friday. Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the decisive kick at Dallas Stadium, sending Egypt through after a match shaped by early control, a second-half equalizer and a shootout in which the African side converted all four attempts.
Emam Ashour gave Egypt the lead in the 13th minute with a header, putting Australia under pressure in the first half of the Round of 32 match. Australia drew level in the 55th minute when Mohamed Hany turned the ball into his own net. Neither team found a winning goal in the remaining regulation time or during extra time.
The result marked Egypt’s first victory in a World Cup knockout match. Egypt had reached the tournament in previous editions but had not won beyond the group phase before the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 format introduced a Round of 32. Australia exited after seeking its first men’s World Cup knockout win, having also fallen at that stage in earlier appearances.
Shootout settles tight contest
Egypt held its nerve in the penalty shootout. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot, and Egypt’s takers kept the sequence clean before Abdelmaguid delivered the final kick. Australia missed two attempts, with Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington failing to score. The misses left Australia unable to extend the contest after a disciplined recovery had forced extra time.
The match stayed narrow after Australia’s equalizer. Egypt relied on defensive blocks and direct attacks, while Australia pushed for a second goal through set pieces and wide deliveries. Goalkeepers and defenders on both sides kept the score level before the shootout. The 1-1 result after 120 minutes reflected a game with few clear finishes and heavy pressure in midfield.
Egypt advances after historic win
Salah started for Egypt and completed the match before scoring in the shootout. His presence added experience to an Egypt side led by coach Hossam Hassan, who guided the team into the last 16. Ashour’s opening goal and Abdelmaguid’s decisive penalty gave Egypt the key moments in a match that turned on execution rather than possession totals.
Australia left the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a campaign that ended on penalties in Arlington. Egypt moved into the Round of 16 with a result that stands among the most important wins in the country’s World Cup history. The victory also kept Egypt’s tournament alive after a knockout match that required composure from open play through the final penalty.