Mohamed Salah's decisive penalty secures Egypt's first World Cup knockout win

Mohamed Salah played the full 120 minutes despite a strained thigh muscle and stepped up in the penalty shoot‑out against Australia in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup in North America. His winning spot‑kick, executed with a Panenka‑style touch, gave Egypt a historic 1‑0 victory, the nation's first ever knockout‑stage win at a World Cup.

Coach Hossam Hassan had been unsure before the match whether Salah could start, but the captain’s confidence and his contribution – also adding a goal and two assists earlier in the tournament – were praised. Egypt will now face Argentina in the quarter‑finals, and Salah hinted this could be his final World Cup appearance.