Australia has bowed out of the FIFA World Cup in heartbreaking scenes, with former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah leading Egypt to a penalty shootout victory over the Socceroos.
Both sides had never won a knockout match at the World Cup and could not be separated at the end of regulation time, locked up at 1-1 in Dallas.
Egypt’s Emam Ashour opened the scoring in the 13th minute in front of 70,244 fans at Dallas Stadium, before Aiden O’Neill’s wicked free kick forced Mohamed Hany to head the ball into his own net in the 55th minute.
Beach pulled off an extraordinary diving save to send the game to extra time but it was ultimately in vain.
Another 30 minutes of extra time could not break the deadlock, forcing the match to penalty strokes.
Australia was on the back foot from the beginning, with Harry Souttar spraying his shot over the net.
Hossam Abdelmaguid of Egypt celebrates scoring the team’s fifth and winning penalty
Lucas Herrington of Australia reacts after missing his World Cup penalty against Egypt
Australia coach Tony Popovic consoles Harry Souttar after the loss the bundled the Socceroos out of the World Cup
And the Socceroos were unable to recover, young star Lucas Herrington’s shot blocked to seal Egypt’s passage to the final 16.
Socceroos star Jackson Irvine was gracious in defeat, and stood up for his teenage teammate whose shot was stopped that ultimately ended Australia’s World Cup run.
‘First of all, congratulations to Egypt, huge victory for them. An historic day for them as well,’ he said.
‘Listen, we took it way to the very end.
‘Penalties is a cruel way to lose, but anybody who has got the confidence to step up and take that ball after 120 minutes, or however long you have played, it takes a big heart and I hope everyone stays behind them and they get all the support, because it takes a big heart to step up and take that after a game like that.’
Coach Tony Popovic was left devastated by the loss, but said there were signs of bigger things to come.
‘I think we showed the world that Australian football is strong. A wonderful group. I’m devastated for them that we can’t progress,’ he said.
Former skipper Mark Milligan said it was shattering to lose that way.
‘Obviously it is devastating. It is never ever a nice way to lose and especially go out of a World Cup, but it’s a part of our game, it is the reality,’ he said.
Former Socceroo Tommy Oar said he hoped the young side grew to become more of an attacking force at the next World Cup.
‘It is a shame going back into the shell in those moments when we have the ascendancy. I hope we can learn the lessons from that,’ he said.
‘It has been a theme over the last 12 months. Popa did so well to bring the professionalism but the next step with the ball is a crucial next step.’
Egypt will now progress to take on either Argentina or Cape Verde.
