Salah's Panenka and post-match gesture send Egypt into last eight at World Cup 2026

Mohamed Salah scored a composed Panenka penalty and personally consoled every Australian player after Egypt eliminated the Socceroos 4-2 on penalties in their World Cup 2026 last-32 tie on Friday, sealing the Pharaohs’ first-ever victory in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Egypt had taken the lead through Emam Ashour’s 13th-minute strike, only for a Mohamed Hany own goal midway through the second half to level the contest and force a penalty shootout. Australia brought on substitute goalkeeper Mat Ryan in place of starter Patrick Beach for the shootout, but the change could not prevent their exit. Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the decisive spot-kick to send Egypt through.

Salah, who opened the shootout with his audacious chip down the middle, was visibly emotional after the final penalty dropped. Yet before allowing himself to celebrate fully, the 34-year-old made his way along the Australian line to shake hands and offer his commiserations to each opponent individually. The moment spread rapidly online, drawing widespread praise from fans and pundits.

“Pure class from Salah. Respect first, celebration second. That’s real sportsmanship,” read one widely shared post on X. Another simply called him “an absolute class act”.

Salah was candid about the weight of the occasion in his post-match comments. “It’s history. I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on,” he said. “Enjoy it and don’t let the pressure get to you. I’m glad that we managed to win the game. Bad luck to them. I’m happy that we made history.”

On his decision to attempt the Panenka, Salah added: “If somebody was going to do it, it would be me. I am more experienced than the others and I wanted to give them confidence. I decided at the last minute. I don’t know if it’s my last World Cup or not, but I had to do it.”

The forward is currently without a club after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, bringing a nine-year spell at Anfield to a close. During that time he won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, and a string of domestic honours.

Egypt’s reward for the historic win is a last-eight clash with reigning world champions Argentina in Atlanta on Tuesday, 7 July. Lionel Scaloni’s side survived a significant scare against World Cup debutants Cape Verde, eventually winning 3-2 in extra time to advance. A meeting between Salah and Lionel Messi now awaits.