On Saturday at Dallas Stadium, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dedicated his side’s historic World Cup knockout victory to the people of Palestine after Egypt beat Australia 4-2 on penalties and reached the last 16 for the first time.
Egypt drew 1-1 after extra time in a tight Round of 32 contest before they kept control in the shoot-out. Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the winning penalty after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed from the spot for Australia.
Egypt struck first and carried the early threat. Emam Ashour headed them in front after 13 minutes, but Australia pulled level 10 minutes into the second half when Mohamed Hany turned the ball into his own net.
The game produced few clear openings and both sides spent long periods trying to close space rather than open it. Egypt protected central areas and kept Australia from building sustained pressure around the penalty area. Neither side created enough chances to take control before penalties decided the tie.
After the match, Hassan said: “May God grant them [the Palestinians] victory, may God have mercy on their martyrs.
“I’m saying to them: I’m dedicating this victory to the Egyptian people and Palestinian people, those kind and honourable people.”
Hassan carried Egyptian and Palestinian flags onto the pitch after the final whistle as Egypt celebrated the country’s first World Cup knockout victory. The players also prostrated themselves together on the pitch.
Egypt will now face either Argentina or Cape Verde in the last 16.
