Mohamed Salah breaks down in tears as Egypt win first EVER World Cup knockout game – and here is why they were watching Real Madrid highlights before Australia penalty shootout!
There were tears of joy for hero Mohamed Salah and tears of regret from Australia after losing the final punt.
Australia rolled the dice by changing the goalkeeper minutes before the penalty shoot-out; but this backfired as substitute Mat Ryan failed to save the penalty shootout and Egypt won.
Starting goalkeeper Patrick Beach was the Socceroos’ star man in the tournament, keeping them in this game with a reflex save from close range.
But former Brighton and Arsenal player Ryan couldn’t get close to any of them, so he too was sidelined, leaving boss Tony Popovic with egg on his face.
The Pharaohs won 4–2 on penalties as Egypt won their first-ever knockout tie at the World Cup, after Emam Ashour’s first-half goal was canceled out by Mohamed Hany’s own goal in the second half of normal time.
The former Liverpool player broke down in tears after his cheeky effort and said: ‘I told the boys: ‘This is the biggest game you’ll ever play in your life, don’t let the pressure get to you.’ ‘I’m happy that we created history today.’
Egypt advanced to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup after coming top on penalties against Australia
Mohamed Salah, who left Liverpool at the end of the season, burst into tears after the win.
Laptop worked but Beach was swept away
Why are Egypt watching Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior’s compilation? That was the first thought when television cameras zoomed in on a laptop computer off to the side.
It turned out that they watched every penalty that Mat Ryan, the Australian goalkeeper of the Spanish team Levante, faced this season.
It was clear from the clips that the 34-year-old player, who has 105 caps, was moving quickly and diving in one direction. The Egyptian players stuttered in their runs and the trump card came up.
But what a surprising decision from Popovic. It’s easy to say in hindsight, to be fair. If Ryan had saved just one penalty it would have been an inspired decision.
Still, it felt strange to be away from the Beach. He was a hero against Türkiye in the group stage and emerged as a contender to save the tournament here when he blocked Ramy Rabia’s header from close range.
At one point one wondered if they were going to call Bondi Beach Patrick Beach. But Popovic made his bed and the decision backfired.
Fans were stunned to see Egyptian players watching Real Madrid highlights ahead of the penalty shoot-out against Australia; But there was a logical explanation for this.
Adam Emma outshines the big names
Egypt has a Salah, a Zico and a Trezeguet in their ranks, as well as Manchester City star Omar Marmoush; but the star lighting up the World Cup is the little-known (at least outside his own country) Emam Ashour.
The midfielder scored in a crucial 1-1 draw against Belgium to help Egypt reach five points and the knockout stages for the first time, and he repeated it here.
The goal was also scored well. He ghosted towards the penalty area, found space at the back post and confidently headed home Karim Hafez’s cross.
28-year-old Ashour, like four other players of the Egyptian starting 11, plays for Al Ahly and scored 30 goals in 86 matches from midfield.
He may have thought his time to improve on the biggest stage had passed, but he is improving in his first World Cup.
Substitute Haissem Hassan also looked dangerous. Salah was calm for the first hour or so, but in the following hours he started to get heated and caused many problems.
Although Emam Ashur is not a name that everyone knows, he stood out for Egypt in the Australia match.
Hany’s unwanted record… but the Aberdeen-born teenager managed to score
Here’s a good quiz question for the football fans among you: How many own goals have been scored in World Cup history?
Correct, the answer is 67. So who is the only player to help his opponent more than once? Poor Ramy headed an own goal here after doing the same against Belgium two weeks ago.
Leicester defender Harry Souttar, who once played for Sheffield United, Stoke City and Fleetwood Town, took to the pitch to celebrate. However, the 1.80m tall Aberdeen-born star was unable to make the decisive touch, so the goal was not his.
The big lad showed some inspiring play defensively and Australia perhaps deserved more. But in the end the Aberdonian dived from the penalty spot and that is all that will be remembered. Scotland’s World Cup woes continue…
