Australia crash out on penalties

Australia 1-1 Egypt (Egypt advance 4-2 on penalties)

ARLINGTON, TX–Socceroos coach Tony Popovic made some bold moves during this World Cup. The first one against Turkiye (not starting Mat Ryan and Jackson Irvine) turned out well. Most gambles after that did not pay off. Chief among them was inserting Ryan in place of Patrick Beach, who had been spectacular for Australia throughout the tournament, for the penalty shootout with Egypt.

Four years ago, it was Ryan who was replaced by Andrew Redmayne against Peru ahead of a penalty shootout for a spot in Qatar, That time it worksd. This time, it did not. Egypt went 4-for-4 on their spot kicks while both Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed their kicks and the Pharaohs advanced to the Round of 16 to face either Argentina or Cape Verde.

Egypt took the lead in the 13th minute as Emam Ashour headed in a cross from Karin Hafez Fortunes appeared to get worse for Australia as Jordan Bos left the match at halftime with a knee injury. Indeed, Egypt almost capitalized at the start of the second half.

However, Australia found their footing and got a free kick in the 55th minute. Aiden O’Neill’s spot kick was headed in by Egypt’s Mohamed Hany for an own goal–a record 13th in a World Cup. Patrick Beach had done well to keep Egypt from netting a potential winner.included a save late on Rami Rabia just before full time.

Thirty more minutes decided nothing, and it was off to penalty kicks, but not before Popovic made his gamble with Mat Ryan.

“We just felt that Maty’s experience would be the difference,” Popovic said. “In the end, it didn’t, it didn’t work out that way, but not because of Maty’s poor judgment or lack of ability; they took critical penalties.”

For Australia, the last Asian Confederation team in the tournament, it’s a third loss in the knockout stages of the World Cup in what was considered a prime opportunity to win one, given how evenly matched the two sides were. Egypt, who had lost their last four shootouts prior to Friday, become the second African side to advance in this World Cup joining Morocco.

Australia’s time at the World Cup was marked by the unpredictability of Tony Popovic’s squad selection. However, not all the gambles paid off and his all-in attempt ahead of penalties saw the Socceroos leave the table wondering what would’ve been.