Egypt led by Mohamed Salah beat Australia in a penalty shootout to reach the round of 16 at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. All nine teams from Asia that took part in this World Cup were eliminated.
On the 4th (local time) at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Egypt drew 1-1 with Australia after extra time in the World Cup round of 32, then won 4-2 on penalties.
With this, all nine teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), including Korea, were eliminated. Seven teams crashed out in the group stage, and two fell in the round of 32.
The first goal of the match came from Egypt. In the 13th minute, Karim Hafez sent in a sharp left-footed cross that Imam Ashour redirected with a header for the opener.
Australia equalized through Egypt's own goal. In the 10th minute of the second half, Aiden O'Neill's free kick was cleared by Mohamed Hanni but went into the net.
After that, the two teams failed to produce a winner for about 80 minutes. In stoppage time of the second half, Salah swung in a cross from the right that Rami Rabia connected with a header, but Australia goalkeeper Pat Beech flung himself to save.
In the 3rd and 7th minutes of the first half of extra time, Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Ashour each took shots, but neither led to a goal.
In the shootout, Egypt seized the momentum. Australia's first kicker, Harry Souttar, sent the ball over the bar. The fourth kicker, Lucas Harrington, also hit the crossbar. In contrast, all four Egyptian kickers converted.
Salah, Egypt's third kicker, split Australia's net with a bold Panenka. A "Panenka kick" is a technique in which, instead of striking a penalty or shootout kick with power, the taker gently chips under the ball so it drops into the middle of the goal.
Finally, Egypt's fourth kicker, Hossam Magid, scored, sealing a 4-2 win on penalties over Australia and confirming a spot in the round of 16.
Egypt, into the round of 16, will face the winner of Argentina–Cape Verde on the 8th in Atlanta for a quarterfinal berth.