With rankings neck-and-neck, the Socceroos must reignite their stagnant attack to overcome Mo Salah’s Pharaohs and secure a historic first-ever victory in the World Cup knockout stages.
In all of the round of 32 games that have been given to us so far, providing some great shocks and incredible games, there is not a game that is more even than this. Only Algeria split Australia and Egypt in the FIFA rankings, giving fans a very tight game.
Australia have had an impressive group stage performance, with a massive 2-0 win over Turkey in the opening game. This gave the Socceroos the platform they needed to qualify, needing only one point against Paraguay and the USA to get out of the group.
The next game against the USMNT did not go to plan, however, falling to a very disappointing defeat, with two first-half goals seeing Australia fall to an easy loss, making it so a point against Paraguay was the bare minimum to get out of the groups.
Luckily for the Oceania side, Paraguay also only needed a point to get out of the group, so it is fair to say that both sides were more than okay with their very uneventful 0-0 draw, with Paraguay guaranteeing themselves a place in the knockouts.
Australia kept two clean sheets in three group matches despite their attacking struggles. Both of Australia's World Cup goals came in their opening match against Turkey, so there will be an expectation that this form changes if they want to get that first-ever World Cup knockout win.
Egypt also were able to finish second in their group, losing out to top spot by Belgium, with The Pharaohs going undefeated in their group, starting with an impressive 1-1 draw with Belgium, with them being denied later on in the game.
They ensured qualification when they faced up against New Zealand and ran away 3-1 winners, with that being their first-ever World Cup win, seeing their legend Mo Salah get on the scoresheet.
The Pharaohs need to be thankful to VAR, however, as when they faced off against Iran, just needing a point to clinch second in the group, when Iran went 2-1 up in the 95th minute, it was ruled out by VAR, saving the Egyptians.
This leads to one of the most fascinating ties in all of the knockouts, with not much separating the sides, and either game is finely balanced.
Team News
Australia will be without Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie for this tie, but neither of them is in Australia's strongest line-up, so there is a good enough chance that Aussie manager Tony Popovic won't make any changes from the side that drew to Paraguay.
In the Egyptian camp, there are doubts for Ahmed Fatouh and Mohamed Abdelmonem, but most importantly, Mo Salah is a risk for this vital knockout game, with Egypt knowing how important it is that he returns to his fitness for this game.
Key Battles
Omar Marmoush vs Harry Souttar
The Man City forward is one of the most dynamic players on the pitch, and he knows that if he is able to harness his full ability, Aussie centre half Souttar will have his hands full.
Nestory Irankunda vs Hamdi Fathi
Irankunda scored a dazzling solo goal against Turkey in the first game, so he will be hoping that he can do that against but will be against Al-Wakrah's centre half, Fathi.
Mohammed Salah vs Jackson Irvine
If Salah is fit to play, Egypt will be centralising play through their captain, who has already managed to get three goal contributions in as many games.
Prediction
Egypt 2-1 Australia (After Extra-Time)
This game could go either way, but I believe that Egypt just about have the star power to get The Pharaohs through this game.
Egypt having Omar Marmoush and Salah will be enough to drag them over the line to a vital win, setting up a game against Argentina or Cape Verde in the next round.
