The Socceroos will face one of world football’s biggest stars after Mohamed Salah’s Egypt was confirmed as Australia’s Round of 32 opponent following extraordinary late drama at the FIFA World Cup.
Tony Popovic’s side learned its knockout fate after a frantic finish to Group G, where the identity of Australia’s opponent changed seven times before VAR ruled out an Iranian stoppage-time winner for offside by what commentators described as a ‘little toe’.
The decision kept Egypt in second place behind Belgium and set up a blockbuster meeting with Australia in Arlington, Texas, next Saturday.
Salah looms as the biggest threat to Australia’s hopes of reaching the Round of 16, although there will be some concern over the Liverpool forward’s fitness after he finished Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Iran on the bench with ice strapped to his hamstring.
Australia and Egypt have met only twice previously, with the most recent encounter ending in a 3-0 defeat for the Socceroos in Cairo in 2010.
The Socceroos progressed after finishing second in Group D, having beaten Turkey 2-0, lost 2-0 to the United States and drawn 0-0 with Paraguay.
Liverpool star and Egypt captain Mo Salah lies in wait for the Socceroos in the knockout round of the World Cup
Mo Salah was seen with an ice pack strapped to his left hamstring after coming off
Australia had to wait for results to come in on Saturday to learn their World Cup opponent
If the Socceroos can get past Egypt, a likely showdown against Lionel Messi and his Argentina side awaits
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Will Mo Salah¿s injury woes give the Socceroos an edge, or is Australia still the underdog?
Egypt also finished runners-up in Group G after drawing 1-1 with Belgium, beating New Zealand 3-1 and holding Iran to a 1-1 draw.
Australia will be without Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano after both were ruled out for the remainder of the tournament through injury, while Egypt will be hoping Salah is fit after his late injury concern.
Despite the challenge of facing one of the game’s elite forwards, defender Aziz Behich said Australia’s focus remained unchanged.
‘Obviously second time out of the group now, but the last one left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth,’ Behich said.
‘It’s still got that burning fire in the belly. We’ve always said we want to do something special with this group and why can’t it be us?
‘And I think we’ve got a great opportunity. We’ve created this opportunity from our hard work to be here – it wasn’t given to us.
‘Everything’s in our hands leading into this game. So (I’m) full of confidence that … this group can do something special this campaign.’
Coach Tony Popovic welcomed the extended break before the Round of 32 encounter.
‘We’ve got eight days to recover, which helps our younger players to get over this euphoria of the win – and then we need to work hard, and we’re a chance,’ the Socceroos coach said.
Should Australia defeat Egypt, a likely Round of 16 meeting with Lionel Messi’s Argentina awaits, provided the defending world champions overcome surprise package Cape Verde.
