Australia 1-1 Egypt (2-4 on penalties) – report, result, goals as Mohamed Salah dodges question from Lionel Messi after scoring

Substitute Hossam Abdelmaguid completed a fine penalty shootout for Egypt with a crucial kick to knock Australia out of the 2026 World Cup and send his side into the last 16 with victory in Dallas.

Harry Souttar sent his penalty over the target and Lucas Herrington hit the crossbar with his effort as the winners won their first World Cup knockout stage, their first win at the final at the ninth attempt during the group stage.

Egypt win their FIRST ever World Cup knockout match as Australia come out on top on penalties 🇪🇬

Just look at what it means… pic.twitter.com/az1O7ZY2PX

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 3, 2026

Egypt talisman Mohamed Salah, who scored a panenka goal in the shootout, has laughed at the prospect of facing team-mate Lionel Messi and Argentina in the last 16, telling BBC Sport it is important to “respect each team” when the hosts face Cape Verde in their away game on Friday.

Emam Ashour scored his second goal of the final with a powerful header in the 13th minute that Karim Hafez curled in to put the Pharaohs ahead, but a change of pace in the second half kept the contest very competitive.

13 and counting 👀

There have now been more goals in the 2026 World Cup than any other World Cup campaign… pic.twitter.com/VVYXLWyXHb

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 3, 2026

Australia threatened through Cristian Volpato, who scored a long header after five minutes, but struggled to create clear-cut chances until Mohamed Hany equalized 10 minutes into the break.

Egypt will face Messi’s team or the Blue Sharks, their last 32 match starting at 23:00 BST, in Atlanta on Tuesday (17:00 BST)

World Cup 2026: Australia vs Egypt drama

With Salah fit to start without any fitness concerns, Africa’s most successful team controlled the game for long periods in the first half and looked comfortable after taking the lead.

Egypt did not attempt a goal between their goal and Patrick Beach’s save to block Ramy Rabia’s header five minutes into the second half.

Egypt has won the World Cup for the first time 🇪🇬

This is the moment Emam Ashour puts them ahead against the Socceroos… pic.twitter.com/Og57j5hh2H

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 3, 2026

Ashour was a constant threat, while Omar Marmoush’s movement caused problems for the Australian defense as the Pharaohs looked for an early second goal.

Australia gradually improved after the hydration break and began to climb up the field, but Egypt largely kept their opponents at arm’s length.

The Socceroos also suffered a setback when defender Jordan Bos was forced off with an injury at half-time, prompting the coach to quickly replace Tony Popovic.

Egypt had a good chance to put the tie to bed soon after the restart when Marmoush was played off the post but he steered his effort wide of the post only to beat the keeper.

The miss proved crucial as Australia gradually clawed their way back into the game.

What’s better… a goal or a celebration? 😅 pic.twitter.com/Hjy8HjXQLy

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 3, 2026

After surviving another scare when Mohamed Hany needed treatment following a heavy collision in his penalty area, Popovic’s side leveled the set.

Connor O’Neill’s dangerous free-kick from the left caused confusion in the Egyptian penalty area, and Hany inadvertently headed into the top corner of his own net.

His goal was the 13th in this competition and the second was given to Hany in this World Cup campaign.

Egypt did not attempt a goal between their goal and Patrick Beach’s save to block Ramy Rabia’s header five minutes into the second half.

Mahmoud Saber beat Maty Ryan – on the Beach in stoppage time of extra time – to score Egypt’s first goal, setting the tone for his side’s victory.

Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil converted penalties for Australia, while Rabia also saved for Egypt.

World Cup 2026: Team Australia vs Egypt

Australia named an unchanged side for their 0-0 draw with Paraguay on matchday three, making defender Lucas Herrington their youngest ever player to start a World Cup play-off game, aged 18 years and 301 days.

Defender Jacob Italiano (groin) and midfielder Mathew Leckie (leg) have been ruled out for the campaign with injuries.

Australia starting XI: Patrick Beach, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Lucas Herrington, Jordan Bos, Jackson Irvine, Aiden O’Neill, Aziz Behich, Cristian Volpato, Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe

Australia instead: Mathew Ryan, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Mohamed Touré, Ajdin Hrustic, Awer Mabil, Paul Izzo, Cameron Devlin, Kai Trewin, Cameron Burgess, Nishan Velupillay, Paul Okon-Engstler, Tete Yengi

World Cup 2026: Team Egypt vs Argentina

Egypt made five changes during their 1-1 draw with Iran, replacing Hafez, Marwan Attia, Yasser Ibrahim, Hamdi Fathy and Marmoush.

Wideman Ahmed Fatouh was out with a torn hamstring, as well as defender Mohamed Abdelmonem who had severe ankle injuries.

Mahmoud Saber, Trezeguet and the banned Mohanad Lasheen also withdrew. Salah was a doubt after being substituted after 57 minutes against Iran with a hamstring injury.

Egypt starting XI: Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Ramy Rabia, Karim Hafez, Emam Ashour, Hamdi Fathy, Marwan Attia, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Zico

Egypt instead: Mohamed El Shenawy, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Trezeguet, Hamza Abdelkarim, Haissem Hassan, El Mahdy Soliman, Nabil Emad Dunga, Ibrahim Adel, Mahmoud Saber, Tarek Alaa, Zizo, Mohamed Alaa

World Cup 2026: Australia v Egypt stats

• Egypt have scored more goals in three-and-a-half games at this World Cup (six) than they have managed in their previous seven finals games (five).
• At 30 years and 67 days, this was the second oldest Egyptian team to start a World Cup, after group stage defeat to Saudi Arabia (30y 218d)
• It is also the oldest African team in the playoffs
• Salahs team had 70% of the ball in the first 15 minutes
• Australia drew 0-0 with Paraguay for the first time in the tournament since they faced Chile in 1974.
• Hany’s goal ensured that the tournament had the most goals scored in a single World Cup
• The return of two goals in the 2026 group stage equaled Australia’s fewest in a World Cup campaign since they did not score a single one in 1974.
• Jackson Irvine (11 caps) is the third player to reach 10 caps for Australia in this tournament, after Leckie (11) and Mathew Ryan (10).
• It was the first time Egypt reached the knockout stage after playing in the group stage
• Mahmoud Saber’s goal after four minutes and 26 seconds against Iran was Egypt’s fastest in their World Cup history.
• Mostafa Shobeir is the second Egyptian goalkeeper to save a penalty in a World Cup match, after Essam El Hadary, who did so against Saudi Arabia in 2018.
• Salah is the first Egyptian player to start at least five World Cup matches (now 6), although the striker’s playing time against Iran was limited to 19 minutes in a World Cup match.