ARLINGTON (United States) (AFP) – Mohamed Salah scored the coolest of penalties as Egypt made history by beating Australia 4-2 on spot-kicks to reach the World Cup last 16 on Friday._x000D_
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A tense affair in which Egypt and their off-colour captain Salah wasted the better chances had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes in Texas._x000D_
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Lionel Messi’s Argentina loom next, as long as the reigning champions avoid a massive upset against tournament debutants Cape Verde in their last-32 encounter._x000D_
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“It’s history,” said Salah, who was emotional after his country won a World Cup knockout game for the first time._x000D_
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“I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on. Enjoy it and don’t let the pressure get to you.”_x000D_
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Australia coach Tony Popovic threw on experienced goalkeeper Mathew Ryan for the penalty shootout in a last-gasp gamble that ultimately failed._x000D_
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Shooting towards the Egypt fans and whistles raining down, defender Harry Souttar blazed the first penalty over to put the Socceroos on the backfoot._x000D_
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The next five players all scored, including Salah with a “Panenka”, before 18-year-old Australia defender Lucas Herrington hit the bar._x000D_
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Hossam Abdelmaguid kept his nerve to send Egypt through to leave Salah in tears of joy._x000D_
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“If somebody was going to do it, it would be me,” Salah said of his chipped penalty under excruciating pressure._x000D_
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“I am more experienced than others and I wanted to give them confidence. I decided last minute, I had to do it.”_x000D_
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Emam Ashour had given seven-time African champions Egypt the lead from a header after 13 minutes at the home of the Dallas Cowboys._x000D_
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The early goal put the onus on Australia who scored only twice in the group phase to attack in front of a crowd of 70,000._x000D_
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With Salah mostly ineffective following injury in Egypt’s last game, the Socceroos equalised 10 minutes after half-time when Mohamed Hany headed into his own net._x000D_
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They went to extra time after some late Egypt pressure, and with nothing to divide them came penalties._x000D_
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“It’s tough,” said Popovic, whose side have still never won a World Cup knockout game._x000D_
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“I think we showed the world that Australian football is strong._x000D_
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“It’s a wonderful group and I’m devastated that we can’t progress.”_x000D_
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SALAH ON FRINGES_x000D_
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Popovic’s side had nearly taken the lead with less than five minutes gone as Cristian Volpato — who switched to Australia from Italy on the eve of the World Cup — rattled the top of the crossbar._x000D_
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Egypt, who won a World Cup match for the first time in the group phase when they beat New Zealand 3-1, looked nervy at the back._x000D_
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Slightly against the run of play Hossam Hassan’s men took the lead._x000D_
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Australia forward Nestory Irankunda failed to pick up Ashour, who headed home at the back post from a cross by Karim Hafez for his second goal of the tournament._x000D_
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The Socceroos had their first shot on target 10 minutes before the break when full-back Aziz Behich fired tamely at goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir._x000D_
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The 34-year-old talisman Salah, who came into the match after a hamstring strain, made little impact in an attritional first 45 minutes._x000D_
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The half ended with Jordan Bos, one of the fastest players at the tournament, in a heap after a flying challenge from Rabia Ramy._x000D_
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The wing-back had to be helped from the pitch and was replaced at half-time by Kai Trewin in a blow to Australian hopes._x000D_
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Seconds after the restart it should have been 2-0 when Egypt’s Manchester City attacker Omar Marmoush slid the ball off-target from close range._x000D_
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Egypt’s coach had said he was wary of Australia’s physical approach, and so it proved as Hany headed under pressure into his own net from an in-swinging free-kick._x000D_
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It was Hany’s second own goal of the tournament._x000D_
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Former Liverpool superstar Salah remained a peripheral figure but was involved in the build-up as Australian stopper Patrick Beach saved athletically in added time to keep out Ramy and force another 30 minutes._x000D_
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Egypt finished normal time the stronger and Salah fired well over early in extra time on his weaker right foot, with penalties looking increasingly inevitable.
