Australia exit FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Round of 32 stage on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Penalty misses from Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington were the difference while Egypt scored a perfect four from four past late substitute Maty Ryan.
After an inspired game to keep Australia in the contest, Patrick Beach was substituted out in extra time for Ryan but the veteran goalkeeper was unable to deny any of the Egypt takers.
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Australia shot first but Souttar put his penalty high. Herrington was Australia’s fourth taker and the 18-year-old put his shot into the crossbar. Hossam Abdelmaguid made no mistake with the next kick to put Egypt through to the Round of 16.
During the 120 minutes, an own goal caused by an Aiden O’Neill free kick equalised 10 for Australia ten minutes into the second half after Emam Ashour had scored after 12 minutes for Egypt.
Australia started the brighter and Cristian Volpato had the first chance of note as his shot from distance clipped the top of the crossbar.
But Egypt would strike first at a set piece after Jackson Irvine had fouled Zico outside the penalty area on the left.
Salah laid off for Emam Ashour to shoot into a block by Irvine, but Marmoush would collect the loose ball and pass to Karim Hafez on the right, who crossed to Ashour who was unmarked and onside to head in at close range.
Australia heartrates were raised in the 21st minute as Ziko broke the backline and shot wide, but an offside flag would follow the miss.
A long throw would bring about Australia’s next good chance to equalise as Irankunda was first to control a bouncing ball and lay back to Aziz Behich who put his shot from the edge of the box on target to be saved by Mostafa Shobeir.
Disaster struck for Australia in first-half stoppage time as Jordy Bos was crunched by Rami Rabia. Kai Trewin was subbed on to stat the second half.
Egypt nearly scored from kick-off in the second half as Omar Marmoush fired wide right after catching out the Australia defence.
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Australia steadied thereafter and built to their equaliser.
Aiden O’Neill both won and took the free kick that led to the goal. His inswinging delivery from the left flank into a pack of players glanced in by Mohamed Hany who had only minutes earlier been treated for a head knock.
Chances were few and far between until stoppage time, when Parick Beach would save Australia to take the game into extra time. Rami Rabia had a close range header on the end of a cross from Mohamed Salah which Beach parried over the bar.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time Harry Souttar would then have to block away a shot from Haissem Hassan with the last play of the game.
Egypt controlled possession and territory for much of extra time, with Harry Souttar in particular critical to keeping the scores level with a series of blocks, tackles and headers.
But with just one shot on target from 16 attempts Australia would not create another significant chance to score before heading to penalties.
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Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil scored Australia’s second and third penalties, while Egypt’s four successful takers were Mahmoud Saber, Rami Rabiah, Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid.
