Australia 1-1 (2-4) Egypt Player Ratings: Pharaohs Clinch First-Ever Round of 16 Qualification In History As They See Off Socceroos On Penalty Shootout

One of the last three Round of 32 games was between Australia and Egypt at the Dallas Stadium. While Egypt were looking to qualify for their first-ever Round of 16 place in the new format of the FIFA World Cup, Australia were looking for the second straight qualification to the last 16 after being eliminated by Argentina last time out.

The first half was largely dominated by the Egypt national football team, who maintained around 56% possession with an xG of 0.41. However, the Socceroos had almost a similar xG (0.40) by keeping a lower possession rate.

The Pharaohs took the lead in the 13th minute after Mohamed Salah's flicked free-kick fell to Emam Ashour, whose shot was blocked. However, the Australian defense couldn't clear it properly, and the ball found its way to Karim Hafez at the edge of the right-hand side of the box.

His floated cross was met by Ashour again, but this time his header was on point to beat Patrick Beach at his near post. The Australia national football team had their fair share of chances, with Cristian Volpato's 25-yard shot coming off the woodwork.

Egypt had a brilliant chance to put the game to bed early on in the second half, when Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush was put through on goal, but his effort went wide of the right post.

The Socceroos got back into the game in the 55th minute, as Mohamed Hany scored his second own goal of this year's tournament while trying to clear a free kick. Egypt tried to find the winner and came close twice in injury time.

Patrick Beach made a brilliant reflex save from Rami Rabia's header, while Harry Souttar blocked substitute Haissem Hassan's close-range shot, which was on target to send the game into added extra time.

The two teams couldn't be separated even in the last thirty minutes of the game, with all of their chances getting blocked at just the right moment. As a result, the game had to be decided on a penalty shootout.

Harry Souttar missed the opening kick for Australia, skying it high above the crossbar. Mahmoud Saber scored next to put Egypt in the lead in the shootout. Jackson Irvine and Rami Rabia dispatched their respective penalties as well, followed by Awer Mabil and one of the best wingers in the world currently, Mohamed Salah.
Youngster Lucas Herrington missed from the spot, with Hossam Abdelmagui sealing the deal with his winning penalty.

Check out the Australia vs Egypt Player Ratings below.

Australia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Egypt

Take a look at the Australia national football team player ratings from the Australia vs Egypt Player Ratings.

Egypt National Football Team Player Ratings vs Australia

Here are the Egypt national football team player ratings from the Australia vs Egypt Player Ratings.

Man of the Match

Emam Ashour was the best player in this FIFA World Cup Round of 32 encounter.

Worst Performer

Mohamed Hany was the worst of the lot from Australia vs Egypt.