Egypt eliminates Australia through penalty shootout for World Cup last 16 berth

Players of Egypt celebrate victory after the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

DALLAS, United States, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The 2026 World Cup witnessed the last team from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ousted on Friday as Egypt shut out Australia through penalty-shootout with 5-3 on aggregate here on Friday.

Only two out of nine AFC teams progressed out of the group stage, and Australia was the last hope after Japan was beaten by Brazil 2-1 on Monday.

It marked the third time that Australia advanced beyond the group stage, while Egypt primed for a first taste of knockout action since 1934.

In the two nations' maiden meeting at the global showpiece, Australia almost broke the deadlock just five minutes into the game, when Cristian Volpato's rocket smacked the crossbar.

The African side managed to weather that early siege and once the tempo and intensity of the Australia press dropped, Egypt found the net in the 13th minute.

The Pharaohs recycled the ball after Emam Ashour's initial effort from a free-kick was blocked. But when the ball was sent back in by Karim Hafez, Ashour headed the cross firmly past Patrick Beach for his second goal of the tournament.

Australia put together several attacks later in the first-half, but Mostafa Shoubir performed well to keep the scoreline down.

Omar Marmoush had a golden opportunity to double the lead straight after the break, but the Manchester City winger sent his effort wide of the post.

Egypt was punished in the 55th minute, when Mohamed Hany accidentally headed Aiden ONeill's free kick into his own net. Hany had also scored an own goal in the group stage.

It is the 13th own goal of the tournament, the most own goals ever in a single edition.

Egypt then kept pressing with long balls, with Ramy Rabia having the chance to grab a winner, but Beach performed a one-handed save, forcing the game into extra time which still ended 1-1.

Australia's Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed their penalties while Egypt players converted all four attempts, including a delicate Panenka penalty from Mohamed Salah.

Egypt will take on either Cabo Verde or Argentina.

Players of Egypt celebrate victory after the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Members of Egypt celebrate victory after the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Players of Egypt celebrates victory after the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Referee Gustavo Tejera (R) shows a yellow card to Yasser Ibrahim of Egypt during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan of Australia fails to save a penalty kick during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Harry Souttar (R) of Australia jumps for a header during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Hamza Abdelkarim (top) of Egypt vies with Harry Souttar of Australia during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Harry Souttar (C) of Australia jumps for a header during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Alessandro Circati of Australia competes during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Ramy Rabia (2nd L) of Egypt reacts as he misses a chance during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Harry Souttar (R) of Australia jumps for a header against Mostafa Zico of Egypt during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Mohamed Salah of Egypt competes during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Hossam Abdelmaguid of Egypt shoots a penalty kick during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Mohamed Salah of Egypt shoots a penalty kick during the round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, July 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)