Australia vs Egypt results: Socceroos heartbreak after penalty shootout defeat

The Socceroos’ World Cup campaign has come to a heartbreaking end in a dramatic penalty shootout, with a defeat to Egypt in the Round of 32 in their first ever World Cup penalty shootout.

The Socceroos’ first ever World Cup knockout match win will have to wait another four years.

Egypt made history playing its first-ever knockout stage match and will now go on to face the winner of Argentina vs Cabo Verde for the round of 16 on Wednesday.

Australia’s dream was shattered by costly misses, with Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington both missing the target.

Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was subbed on for Patrick Beach in the last minutes of the game, to play his first minutes of the tournament, and didn’t manage any penalty saves.

Egypt scored the opener at the 13-minute mark, but as Australia improved their momentum in the second half, an Egypt own goal gifted them an equaliser. Extra time couldn’t unlock either defence.

The match was played in front of 70,000 at Dallas Stadium.

Australia’s World Cup campaign started with a dramatic and, for some, unexpected win against Türkiye, continued with a loss against the hosts, the US, and a draw against Paraguay that secured Australia’s second spot in Group D.

Now, after the disappointing result against Egypt in a close match, Tony Popovic’s young team will return home.

Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine, who was in tears after the match, said: “Penalties are a cruel way to lose”.

He also supported Souttar and Herrington, who missed their penalty.

“I hope everyone stays behind them and they get all the support … they’ve been immense, the two of them,” he said.

“To step up and take a penalty is not easy.”

Same lineup

The Socceroos started the match with the exact same lineup that started against Egypt: Irankunda in a striker role with Cristian Volpato and Jordy Bos playing on the right.

Egypt made several changes to its lineup compared to its previous match against Iran, with Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush starting in place of Mahmoud Trézéguet. Defenders Karim Hafez and Yasser Ibrahim start in place of Ahmed Fatouh and Mohamed Abdelmonem, who both picked up injuries.

Its superstar, Mohammad Salah, who was in doubt for the match with a hamstring injury, was also part of the starting lineup.

One shot on target, one goal

The match started as many expected, with Egypt being in control of the ball with the Socceroos looking sharp on the counterattacks.

And it all looked promising for Australia, with the team making the first big chance of the match after its winger, Cristian Volpano, took a long-range strike from outside the box that went just high — touching the post in minute five.

Shortly afterwards Egypt’s right winger Emam Ashour opened the scoring after winning a free kick just outside the box.

Salah played the free kick on the left-hand side of the pitch short, and the follow-up was blocked. The ball landed back outside the box before it was chipped into the box by Karim Hafez and headed in by Ashour while Australia’s defence was caught out of position.

The first half saw few big chances, with Australia creating half chances mostly from long balls and long shots.

The half ended with only one shot on target from each side, which, coincidentally, was the goal. Australia had four shots, none of them on target.

Assistant Socceroos’ coach Paul Okon said after the half that the team “seem to find pockets of space, and if we can do that better in the second half, I’ve got no doubt we’ll create more opportunities for us”.

Socceroos back

The Socceroos started the second half with a substitute, with Kai Trewin replacing Jordan Bos, who appeared to be injured in the last minutes of the first half.

The first big chance of the second 45 minutes was for Egypt with Marmoush putting a one-on-one with Beach wide.

After the chance, the Socceroos felt more in control of the match, putting pressure on Egypt, which finally led to an own goal by Egypt in the 55th minute.

It was a free kick from outside the box again. Aiden O’Neill put the cross in for Australia, and Egyptian right back Mohamed Hany headed the ball into their own goal while trying to defend the cross.

After the goal, the match slowed down again, with the Socceroos appearing to have more possession, at least compared to the first half.

Beach!

In minute 67, Egypt made their first substitution in the match with Hassan and Abdelmaguid coming on for Zico and Fathy. And in minute 74, Australia made two more subs, with Hrustic coming on for Volpato and Touré coming on for Irankunda.

At minute 81, Australia won another free kick after a tackle on O’Neill from behind. The cross floated high into the box. Harry Souttar went for the header but didn’t make contact, leading to another half-chance.

At minute 94, Salah delivered a cross from the right side, with an Egyptian centre back sending a powerful header to the top of the net, but Melbourne City goalkeeper Patrick Beach made a super save, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Egypt right winger Hasseim Hassan got close to scoring the winner, but this time Harry Souttar kept Australia in the match.

With a 1-1 draw in regular time, Australia and Egypt went to extra time.

A disciplined defence

With the start of extra time, Popovic made two more subs with Metcalfe and O’Neill coming off, and Okon-Engstler and Mabil coming on — marking Mabil’s first World Cup minutes.

The first 15 minutes of the extra time went slowly, with both sides mostly managing the game.

The second 15 minutes were definitely Egypt’s turn, with the Pharaohs trying their chances to score a goal with multiple attacks initiated by Salah on the right flank. Australia’s disciplined defensive structure and experienced defender Souttar held firm until the dying minutes.

For Egypt, elation, as they stay alive for another round.

You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.

For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.