Goalkeeper Beach (left) leaves the field, making way for veteran Ryan in the final minute of the second half of extra time during Australia's round of 16 World Cup 2026 match against Egypt at AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas, USA, on 3/7. Photo: Reuters

In the 119th minute, the final minute of the second half of extra time, coach Tony Popovic made a calculated decision to substitute 22-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach with 34-year-old Matthew Ryan.

This strategic change recalled the World Cup 2014 quarter-final where Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal replaced Jasper Cillessen, who had played all 120 minutes, with Tim Krul. It was a rare gamble, with Krul entering the game with only 44 seconds remaining, but Van Gaal proved his decision was entirely correct. Krul correctly guessed the direction of all five Costa Rica penalties and saved two of them.

However, that scenario did not repeat for Australia. Their shootout began disastrously when Harry Souttar shot the ball directly into the stands. Then, 18-year-old Lucas Herrington hit the crossbar with the decisive fourth penalty. In contrast, Egypt calmly converted all four of their penalties, including a Panenka-style shot from Mohamed Salah, leaving Ryan no chance to touch the ball in any of the attempts.

Ryan dives during Mohamed Salah's Panenka penalty in the Australia – Egypt match in the round of 16 of World Cup 2026 at AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas, USA, on 3/7. Photo: Reuters

The match at AT&T Stadium in Texas, USA, was attended by actor Samuel L. Jackson, known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino films like Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained. On the field, Australia was playing their third World Cup knockout match in history, while it was only Egypt's second.

The first opportunity came in the 5th minute when Cristian Volpato created space for himself against a passive Egyptian defense. He attempted a shot from about 25 meters, but his powerful strike grazed the top of the crossbar.

Just 8 minutes after that tense moment, Egypt opened the scoring. Following a clever free-kick routine, Emam Ashour's initial curling shot was blocked, but Karim Hafez quickly recovered the ball and delivered a precise cross. Ashour then headed the ball down and into the net, leaving goalkeeper Beach no chance to save it.

Egypt should have doubled their lead just 10 seconds into the second half. Omar Marmoush's burst of pace tore through Australia's defense from the kickoff, but his diagonal shot narrowly missed the post.

In the 48th minute, Egypt's left-back Mohamed Hany collapsed after a head collision with Connor Metcalfe during an aerial challenge. He lay motionless, prompting teammates to urgently signal for medical staff to enter the field.

World Cup regulations require neutral doctors to assess head injuries and make the final decision on substitutions. However, Hany received only a cursory check on the field from medical staff before being allowed to continue playing. Hany's continued presence on the field surprisingly became a turning point in the match.

In the 55th minute, from a tricky cross by Aiden O’Neill from the left wing, Hany rose to clear the ball but inadvertently headed it into his own net, leaving Beach helpless. The left-back made history by becoming the first player to score two own goals in a single World Cup tournament since Bulgaria's Ivan Vutsov in 1966.

After the equalizer, Egypt intensified their efforts to find the opponent's net and nearly snatched victory in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Beach made a brilliant save from Ramy Rabia's header, and immediately afterward, Souttar made a crucial block to deny Haissem Hassan's follow-up shot.

Mohamed Salah had a golden opportunity in the second minute of extra time. However, under pressure from an opposing defender, the 34-year-old star, who had been subdued and isolated throughout the match due to hamstring issues, volleyed the ball over the bar.

The match was then decided by a penalty shootout, where coach Popovic's Van Gaal-esque substitution proved to be a futile gamble. Egypt defied expectations to become only the second African representative in World Cup history to win a penalty shootout, following Morocco's two victories against Spain in 2022 and Netherlands in 2026.

Hossam Abdelmaguid's decisive penalty kick in the Australia – Egypt match in the round of 16 of World Cup 2026 at AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas, USA, on 3/7. Photo: Reuters

Hoang Thong