Egypt Beats Australia 4-2 on Penalties, Coach Dedicates World Cup Win to Palestine
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 4
Egypt Beats Australia 4-2 on Penalties, Coach Dedicates World Cup Win to Palestine
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 4
Summary
Egypt reached the World Cup last 16 with a 4-2 shootout win over Australia after a 1-1 draw, sealing the country's first knockout victory in its first-ever World Cup knockout match.
Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the decisive penalty after Australia’s Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed; Egypt had led through Emam Ashour before Mohamed Hany’s own goal forced extra time.
Coach Hossam Hassan then dedicated the win to Egyptians and Palestinians, carrying both flags onto the pitch as Arab fans celebrated the breakthrough overnight.
Gaza footage showed Palestinians watching amid rubble and tents, with some fans saying the result briefly lifted spirits despite the war.
Hours earlier, Egypt said a Dallas police officer pushed director Ibrahim Hassan and player Trezeguet at the team hotel; Dallas police said the incident was resolved on the scene.
After Egypt's coach dedicated a historic win to Palestine, will FIFA's stance on political gestures in sports finally be tested?
Can a World Cup celebration impact the trajectory of a failing peace deal and the escalating conflict in Gaza?
While a football victory brings brief joy to Gaza, what does it reveal about resilience amid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis?
Egypt Makes History: First World Cup Knockout Victory, Salah’s Heroics, and a Message for Palestine
Overview
On July 3, 2026, Egypt made history by winning their first-ever World Cup knockout match, defeating Australia on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The match, held at AT&T Stadium in Texas, featured an early Egyptian goal that put pressure on Australia and ended with a dramatic 4-2 shootout victory. This triumph sent Egypt into the last-16, where they will face either Argentina or Cape Verde. The electric atmosphere, with a large and passionate crowd, highlighted the significance of Egypt’s achievement and set the stage for their next challenge in the tournament.