Egypt made history in the FIFA World Cup by defeating Australia 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, securing their first-ever knockout stage victory in the tournament.
The match remained evenly poised until the end, forcing a penalty decider where Egypt held their nerve. Hossam Abdel Meguid scored the decisive spot-kick, while Australia’s Harry Souttar and Lucas Herington missed their penalties, sealing Egypt’s breakthrough win.
Following the historic victory, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan dedicated the win not only to Egyptian fans but also to the people of Palestine, expressing solidarity and prayers for those affected by ongoing hardships. He said the victory belonged to “the Egyptian people and our Palestinian brothers.”
In post-match scenes, Hassan was seen holding both Egyptian and Palestinian flags on the pitch, while players performed a collective prostration of gratitude. The emotional moments quickly spread across social media.
Videos shared online also showed celebrations in Gaza, where fans watching in difficult conditions marked Egypt’s win with joy despite the ongoing conflict environment.
The result marks a significant milestone for Egypt, advancing them into the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history.
Today's E-Paper