Egypt knock out Australia in the penalty lottery
One-all after 90 and the decider arriving from the cruellest place: Egypt beat Australia on penalties to march on at the World Cup.
There are calmer ways to win a knockout tie, but Egypt chose the most dramatic. After a one-all draw over ninety minutes, their game against Australia went to penalties — and it was from there that Egypt emerged victorious, 4-2 from the spot, to seal a place in the next round of the World Cup.
The coin toss
Penalties are the moment football stops rewarding whoever plays best and starts rewarding whoever has the coolest nerves. Australia, battling as ever, reached ninety minutes deserving better, but on the eleven-metre roulette they lacked the sharpest aim. Egypt, with the experience of a side that has had nights like this, settled it in their favour.
Why it’s worth noticing
These teams rarely top the headlines of the big favourites, but they hold much of a World Cup’s soul — the grit, the mismatch between budgets and heart, the joy of a whole country in a well-struck kick. Egypt go through, and with them Africa’s hope in this tournament.
The old certainty holds: in penalties there are no favourites, only pounding hearts.
See also: Argentina’s nervy night. Official results on the FIFA site.
By Vasco Almada
Image: Анна Нэсси / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
