Egypt recorded their first World Cup knockout victory as Australia’s decision to send on goalkeeper Mat Ryan specifically for the penalty shoot-out failed to pay off.
Ryan replaced Patrick Beach with the score at 1-1 with 90 seconds remaining in a pre-determined tactic – however the former Brighton keeper failed to guess the right way, never mind get near any of Egypt’s attempts, as the African side prevailed 4-2 on spot-kicks.
The move seemed harsh on Beach, who made a great save from Ramy Rabia to keep the scores level late in added time, and ultimately proved worthless after Harry Souttar ballooned his first attempt over and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington hit the crossbar.
Egypt scored all four penalties, with Mohamed Salah chipping a cheeky effort down the middle, as they won their first shoot-out in five attempts.
Emam Ashour had given them a 13th-minute lead when his initial shot from a free-kick was blocked but his downward header from the resulting cross beat Beach down by his right-hand post for Egypt’s first goal in the knockout stages.
It was Ashour’s second goal for Egypt, both at the World Cup, and the 250th of tournament.
Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush shooting just inches wide, moments after the second half kicked off, was Egypt’s next-best chance until Rabia’s header was kept out.
By then Australia were level as Mohamed Hany, who had earlier taken a heavy blow to his head, could only divert Aiden O’Neill’s inswinging free-kick into his own net.
He became only the second man – joining Bulgaria’s Ivan Vutsov in 1966 – to score two own goals at the same World Cup and it was the 13th of the tournament, setting a new record.
Salah said he felt the responsibility as a senior player but admitted he made a very late decision on his method.
“I decided last minute, I don’t know if it’s my last World Cup so I had to do it,” he told BBC One.
On the significance of the victory he added: “It’s history: I told the boys before the game this is the biggest stage you can play in your life.”
PA
