Egypt end Australia's World Cup run as Mat Ryan's penalty gamble backfires in shootout

Egypt recorded their first World Cup knockout victory as Australia’s last-gasp goalkeeper switch backfired, with Mat Ryan failing to save a single penalty in a 4-2 shootout defeat that ended the Socceroos’ campaign.

Ryan replaced Patrick Beach with 90 seconds remaining — a pre-planned move designed to give Australia an edge in the shootout — but the former Brighton keeper could not guess the right way for any of Egypt’s four attempts. The gamble looked even harsher given that Beach had made a crucial late save from Ramy Rabia to keep the scores level in added time. Australia’s cause was further undermined when Harry Souttar blazed his first attempt over the bar and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington struck the crossbar.

Mohamed Salah settled any nerves by chipping a composed effort down the middle, and Egypt converted all four of their kicks to advance.

Egypt had taken the lead in the 13th minute through Emam Ashour, whose initial free-kick was blocked before he headed the resulting cross down and past Beach at his right-hand post — the 250th goal of the tournament and Ashour’s second at a World Cup.

Australia levelled when Mohamed Hany, who had earlier taken a heavy blow to the head, diverted Aiden O’Neill’s inswinging free-kick into his own net. It was Hany’s second own goal of the tournament, making him only the second player in World Cup history to achieve that unwanted distinction, joining Bulgaria’s Ivan Vutsov from 1966. The goal was also the 13th own goal of the competition, a new tournament record.

Omar Marmoush had gone close for Egypt early in the second half, shooting inches wide, but Australia’s defence largely held firm until the shootout undid them.

Salah, speaking after the match, said he made a very late decision on how to take his penalty. “I decided last minute — I don’t know if it’s my last World Cup so I had to do it,” he said. On the broader significance, he added: “It’s history. I told the boys before the game this is the biggest stage you can play in your life.”