Egypt made history by defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the first time when Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the decisive spot-kick. The Pharaohs now face Argentina.

After 120 minutes failed to separate the sides, the Pharaohs were flawless from the spot as Mahmoud Saber, Ramy Rabia, Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid all converted. Australia, however, faltered under pressure as Harry Souttar blazed the opening penalty over the bar before teenager Lucas Herrington crashed his effort against the crossbar, allowing Abdelmaguid to seal a landmark victory.

Egypt looked the more composed side from the opening whistle and deservedly took the lead in the 13th minute through Emam Ashour.

The move stemmed from a cleverly worked free-kick routine. Mohamed Salah rolled the ball into Ashour’s path, with the midfielder’s first effort blocked inside the box. Egypt patiently recycled possession before Karim Hafez delivered a teasing cross to the far post, where Ashour timed his leap to perfection and powered a header beyond Patrick Beach.

The goal, the tournament’s 250th, rewarded Egypt’s bright start as they controlled possession and repeatedly unsettled Australia’s defence with quick passing and movement in the final third.

Australia struggled to create clear-cut openings before the break, while Egypt continued to threaten, with Omar Marmoush squandering a glorious chance to double the lead moments after the restart.

Australia emerged with greater urgency in the second half and eventually found a route back into the contest, though fortune played a significant part.

Before the equaliser, Mohamed Hany had been involved in a worrying collision with Connor Metcalfe while defending inside his own penalty area. The Egypt defender remained motionless on the turf as medical staff rushed on with a stretcher briefly prepared before he was able to continue following treatment.

Five minutes later, misfortune struck. Aiden O’Neill whipped a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area, where Hany attempted to clear under pressure. Instead, his header looped beyond Mostafa Shobeir and into the net to hand Australia an equaliser they had worked hard to earn.

The own goal carried an unwanted slice of history. Hany became only the second player ever to score two own goals at a single FIFA World Cup, having also found his own net during Egypt’s group-stage campaign. Australia enjoyed their best spell after levelling the score, but neither side could find a winner before the end of regulation.

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