Egypt join another African country in the quarterfinals of the WC

It was the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Costa Rica made a huge surprise and made it to the quarterfinals where they mate favorites the Netherlands. Dutch manager, the famous Louis van Gaal unexpectedly changed Jasper Cillessen with former Newcastle keeper Tim Krul minutes before the end of extra time, specifically for the penalty shootout. Krul went on to save two penalties and secured the win for the Netherlands. When Australian captain Mathew Ryan entered the game in the 119th minute of the game against Egypt, many football fans remembered that moment. But these situations don’t happen often and don’t end happily either. Former Arsenal keeper failed to save a single shot and allowed Egypt to make another historical result – after managing their first ever knockout phase appearance, the Pharaohs also managed to win the first knockout game in their World Cup history: Australia – Egypt 1-1 (2-4 after penalties)!

In a game of two not so quality teams, it was Egypt who came out victorious mainly for two reasons. The Pharaohs were cool and concentrated during the penalty shootout and they used Toni Popovic’s mistakes to secure a possible quarter-final game with Messi’s Argentina. Australian coach decided to gamble with Ryan, even though his first-choice keeper Beach played excellent and had some good saves and it backfired him. Not only that, but he allowed an 18-year inexperienced defender Lucas Herrington to participate in the penalty shootout. The boy missed, along with the club’s captain Harry Souttar while Egypt players all scored. The Pharaohs were better and will face the winner of the Argentina – Cape Verde game which is playing in one hour. Apart from Morocco, Egypt remains the only African team (so far) to reach the quarterfinals. Cape Verde and Ghana have that opportunity also, against Argentina and Colombia.

The first half looked promising when Volpato took a shot from a distance and hit the crossbar after only five minutes. But soon, we came into a stalemate without much chances and with passes in between both penalty areas. Egypt managed to score from their first proper chance of the match. Ashour, whose initial shot was blocked managed to put a perfect header into the net after Hafez’s cross. Herrington’s leg was stretched out, which meant there was no offside and the Pharaohs were leading.

After the boring finish of the first half, the second period started with an amazing miss from Omar Marmoush. Manchester City striker found himself all alone in front of Australia goal in the 46th minute, but somehow managed to miss the entire goal. The punishment came soon enough. 10 minutes later, Australia equalized after a free kick and the unlucky Mohamed Hany was the culprit again. Just minutes before that, he sustained what appeared to be a serious injury. Hany lay flat on his back and appeared to have lost consciousness, prompting medical staff to sprint onto the field immediately. A stretcher was summoned as concern grew for the Egyptian player's wellbeing, but eventually he got up on his own and continued the match after the evaluation. Maybe it would be better he came out of the game completely, as he scored an own goal minutes later. He did it once already (against Belgium) and he did it again tonight, allowing Australia to completely return to the match.

The Socceroos looked better after scoring, but were unable to get the match winner during the full 90 minutes. In fact, it was their keeper Beach who saved them from an injury-time defeat. Egypt was attacking and Salah managed a superb cross which found Rabia, but his shot was saved acrobatically by Beach. There was literally nothing going on in the overtime, apart from Egypt circling around Australia’s goal in the last 10 minutes before the penalty shootout.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 32

Friday

Portugal - Croatia 2-1 (0-0)

/Ronaldo 68 pen, Ramos 90+4 - Perisic 53/

Switzerland - Algeria 2-0 (1-0)

/Embolo 10, Ndoye 46/

Australia - Egypt 1-1 (0-1) (2-4 after penalties)

/Hany 55 (og) - Ashour 13/

Saturday

01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)

04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)

***odds are subject to change***