After a tense deadlock and a historic own goal, the Pharaohs survived a late Australian surge to secure their first-ever knockout victory in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Both Australia and Egypt knew how important this game, arguably being the biggest World Cup game in both of their rich histories, with both nations failing to ever win a knockout game beore this.
The game started of how people would have expected, both nations playing quite nervy, with none of the players being the infamous one who makes the mistake that could lead to a goal. But it was the Aussies who were inches away from what would've been a famous opening goal.
Cristian Volpato did well to drop a shoulder and give himself the room he was after and twenty yards out, he rifles a curling effort which beat Egyptian keeper Mostafa Shobeir but just clipped the bar, giving the Socerroos hope that this could be their first every knockout victory.
However, only seven minutes later, Australia were so close to the opener that it was Egypt that broke the deadlock. Captain Mo Salah laid off a free-kick on an angle for Egypt to Emam Ashour, whose shot was well blocked.
After the ball was perfectly sprayed back in by full-back Hafez, Ashour fell back to him, who was unmarked and steered his header into the bottom left corner, sending the Egyptian faithful mental in celebration.
Not long after, the Pharaohs were so close to doubling their lead and putting the tie almost to bed, but Ziko found himself with only Patrick Beech to beat and dragged his effort wide past the post; luckily, the offside flag spared his blushes. But it was clear to see Australia were far too open at the back.
Aussie manager Tony Popovic used the controversial hydration breaks to his advantage. In the latter stages of the first half, Australia looked much more comfortable on the ball and started to cause the African side some bother, but weren't able to find the opener before the half-time whistle. Egypt had a crucial one-goal lead.
And only thirty seconds into the second half, Egypt should have had their lead doubled. Omar Marmoush did all he had to when he peeled off the Aussie backline, leading one v one with Beech to beat, but his effort was only inches away, just sliding it onto the wrong side of the post; it was a miss Egypt were to pay for.
Pay for it they did. Ziko fouled O'Neill on Australia's left side, which led to a divine ball in by the Aussies that only needed the slightest of touches to get them the equaliser. That fable touch came from Egyptian full-back Mohamed Hany, whose touch sent the Australians into wild celebrations, giving the nation a real sense of belief.
It was harsh on Hany, who had to try and clear the ball, but it was his touch that forced Egypt to concede; it was his second own goal of this World Cup, making him the first player to do that in sixty years at a World Cup.
Australia used the momentum from their opening goal well, continuing to pressurise the Egyptian back line. Still, with only two minutes to go, Australia had to rely on keeper Beach to make an incredible save to keep them alive, poising the game perfectly for an extra thirty minutes as this game was forced into extra time.
The first chance of extra time fell to Salah when the ball fell nicely to him, but he lashed at his effort on his weaker right foot, making the ball sail over the bar, an early warning for the Socceroos.
As the first time extra time whistle was blew, it looked like Egypt were more likely to find the opener, but nerves were truly as high as possible as both nations started to face the possibility that penalties could be imminent
Harry Souttar acted like a magnet to block so many Egyptian efforts, with the best block coming when Ashour had a decent chance in the second half of the thirty but it was hunted down by the Leicester City centre half.
Very interestingly, despite some great saves in the game, Aussie keeper Beech was hooked for Matthew Ryan, who came on with only a minute left as Australia began preparations for this nail-biting penalty shootout, with neither side able to get that elusive extra-time goal.
The nerves before the shootout began were palpable; neither side had ever won a knockout game in the World Cup, and both Egypt and Australia knew that victory felt so close but so far. Egypt is losing their last four shootouts in a row
It was Australia to take first with their captain Souttar, and he blazed his effort over the bar. Advantage Egypt. Sober was next, brought on just for his penalty, and it showed when his penalty was perfect, in the side netting with power.
Irvine replied well for the Aussies, stroking it in the top corner, and Rabia made no mistake, sending Ryan the wrong way. 2-1 Egypt.
Mabil's penalty wasn't convincing, but he managed to score, keeping the Australian dream alive. Captain Salah was next to take, and in what may be his last ever World Cup game, he kept his calm, letting Ryan go to the floor before lifting over him. 3-2 Egypt.
Herrington is only eighteen years old, and his penalty struck the bar, truly horrible to see and put Egypt in a simple spot, score to win. Abdelmeguid had the chance to win it for Egypt, and his penalty showed perfect composure and sent Ryan the wrong way. Egypt go through.
It wasn't truly a great performance by Egypt but they won't care as they have finally been able to win their first ever knockout game, setting up a massive round of 16 tie against either Argentina or Cape Verde.
