How it happened: Shootout decides World Cup knockout match in Arlington
Elimination is on the line again at AT&T Stadium, as Australia and Egypt face off in the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The winner of Friday’s 1 p.m. match advances to the round of 16 and a likely showdown with Lionel Messi and Argentina, while the loser heads home.
Both teams finished second in their groups to advance to the knockout stage. Australia went 1-1-1 in Group D, defeating Turkey 2-0, losing to the U.S. 2-0 and playing to a scoreless draw with Paraguay. Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1 and played to 1-1 draws with Belgium and Iran in Group G.
Follow along for all the action from Arlington:
That’s it
5:23 p.m.
That’s it for today. Check out all of our coverage in the list below.
We’ll be back Monday for Spain vs. Portugal in the round of 16.
Egypt wins knockout thriller
3:53 p.m.
It took everything The Pharaohs had to pull out a penalty shootout win over the young and scrappy Socceroos, but the experience gave Egypt the egde in the end with a 4-2 shootout win after a 1-1 draw.
Converting on all four attempts for Egypt were Mahmoud Saber, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid.
Egypt moves on to the round of 16 to take on the winner of this afternoon’s match between defending World Cup champion Argentina and tournament Cinderella, Cape Verde.
— Nick Harris
Live shootout update
Here is a shot-by-shot update of the penalty shootout between Australia and Egypt:
Australia: XOOX-
Egypt: OOOO-
Egypt wins 4-2 on penalties.
Headed to penalty shootout
3:37 p.m.
After 120 minutes, we are still tied between Australia and Egypt at one goal apiece.
Now, the high-octane penalty shootout comes to AT&T Stadium for just the second time in the venue’s soccer history.
Of note, Australia changed its goalkeeper ahead of the shootout, as veteran Matthew Ryan (34 years old) was subbed in for Patrick Beach (22 years old). Will the experience help Australia pull it out?
— Nick Harris
Still tied at halftime of extra time
3:19 p.m.
Call this the seventh-inning stretch, if you will. We’re halfway through the extra 30 minutes, as both teams flip sides for a final 15-minute push.
Neither Egypt nor Australia found a particularly inspiring attack in the first half, but that won’t mean that they will coast to a penalty shootout. If a winner is served on a silver platter, each side would be quick to pounce.
— Nick Harris
Thirty more minutes to decide winner
2:55 p.m.
With less than two minutes remaining in stoppage time in a 1-1 tie, Egypt almost found the winning goal that would’ve punched its ticket into the round of 16.
Egypt centerback Rami Rabia found more than enough space to deliver a header on target, but Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach was quick enough to thwart it above the crossbar for a crucial Aussie save.
The whistle blew moments later, sending us to extra time tied at one goal apiece. We will play two 15-minute halves to decide a winner. If it is still tied after 30 minutes, a penalty shootout will take place in Arlington.
— Nick Harris
All square at second hydration break
2:30 p.m.
The intensity has ramped up since the Aussies’ goal in the 55th minute, as each side will look for the winner in the final 20-plus minutes in Arlington.
Taking a look at the stats, Australia is now creating a sizable lead in how often it has penetrated the box with 15 touches to Egypt’s eight. The Socceroos also have a 7-4 advantage in total shots.
Can either side find the winner? Or, is extra time and/or a penalty shootout in our near future?
— Nick Harris
GOAL: An own goal off a set piece ties it
2:15 p.m.
Sometimes, you take it how you get it. Australia is on the board after an own goal off a set piece just outside the box.
Following an Egypt foul, Australia had a free kick from the corner of the box. After it was sent in, it bounced off the head of Egypt defenseman Mohamed Hany and into the back of the net for Australia’s equalizer in the 55th minute.
It’s a great start for the Socceroos in the second half, but it’s still a long way to go to the final whistle.
— Nick Harris
Egypt defender needs medical treatment
2:09 p.m.
After a ball was sent into the box by Australia, Egypt defender Mohamed Hany banged heads with an Australian attacker and immediately hit the pitch.
While it may have looked like he was knocked out cold from his initial reaction, Hany was able to come to his feet soon after. After the required time off the pitch due to needing medical assistance, he reentered the game.
A situation that initially looked scary ends up being OK for Hany.
— Nick Harris
HALF: Egypt 1, Australia 0
1:50 p.m.
We’re 45 minutes into this one, and Egypt’s goal from Emam Ashour is the decider at the moment.
Australia found some threat at the end of the first half, as the youth from the Socceroos could benefit them as the game wears on against the older Egypt squad.
However, at the end of the half, Australia 23-year-old right back Jordan Bos went down with what looked like a lower body injury. He was carried off the pitch and into the locker room.
Australia drew closer in possession at the end of the half, as Egypt’s advantage has slimmed to a 56-44 percentage split. Australia also holds the advantage in total shots (5-3) and touches in the box (10-6).
— Nick Harris
Crowd loves ‘Frisco King’ star
1:40 p.m.
Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson, star of the new Taylor Sheridan show “Frisco King,” being filmed in North Texas, drew cheers from the crowd as he took part in pregame festivities Friday.
He later drew more cheers when he appeared on the jumbotron during the first half.
— Lawrence Dow
Egypt with lead at hydration break
1:22 p.m.
We’re at the first hydration break, and Egypt holds a 1-0 advantage.
Let’s take a look at the stats, as Egypt took a few minutes to get going, but has mostly controlled these first 23 minutes. The Pharaohs hold the possession advantage with a 64-36 percentage split, while Australia has gotten more shots off, 4-3. Both squads have five touches in the opposing box, but obviously only Egypt has taken advantage.
Australia has found some pushes in the open field, but the Egypt backline has done a good job of averting Socceroo danger.
— Nick Harris
GOAL: Egypt gets on the board
1:13 p.m.
Egypt strikes first!
In the 13th minute, a free kick from just outside the box was deflected at the wall, but it allowed the ball to remain in the box with the Egypt threat not yet averted.
Karim Hafez was able to send a beautiful delivery deep into the box where Emam Ashour sent a diving header into the left side of the net for the game’s first goal.
It’s Ashour’s second goal at the World Cup, and it’s a big first score put Egypt in front.
— Nick Harris
Socceroos deliver first shot on goal
1:04 p.m.
Less than five minutes into the match, Australia delivered the first major threat, as Cristian Volpato sent a strike to the top of the goal from 20 yards out that forced Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir to fully extend up right to pat it up and over the crossbar.
With the crowd split roughly down the middle with Australia and Egypt supporters, the fans wearing yellow got a clear first jolt of energy from the 22-year-old.
— Nick Harris
We are underway
1 p.m.
Australia and Egypt are underway at AT&T Stadium in the round of 32.
Kick like an Egyptian
12:18 p.m.
Some solid sign work from Egyptian fans outside the stadium.
— Mac Engel
A little pregame watering
12:04 p.m.
The process of keeping the temporary grass field at AT&T Stadium in great shape for matches includes watering it an hour before kickoff.
— Jim Barnes
Red vs. Yellow
11:50 a.m.
The crowd is in bright colors today, with red (Egypt) pitted against yellow (Australia).
— Jim Barnes
‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ at Texas Live!
11:42 a.m.
Fans are getting into the spirit of the day at Texas Live! with the Bangles’ 1986 hit “Walk Like an Egyptian” playing before Egypt takes on Australia.
I’m not sure the Aussies are enjoying it.
— Mac Engel
Crowd starting to fill in
11:15 a.m.
We’re an hour and 45 minutes away from kickoff, and fans are slowly filing into AT&T Stadium.
What the betting odds say
11:12 a.m.
Egypt is a -150 favorite to advance at DraftKings, implying a 60% probability. A bettor would have to wager $150 to profit $100 on Egypt advancing. Australia is +150 to advance, meaning a bettor could wager $100 to profit $150.
Egypt is +144 to win in regulation, Australia is +270 to win in regulation, and a draw is +194.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah is the most likely to score a goal (+213) and the favorite to score the first goal (+456).
— Jim Barnes
Relive Norway’s victory here in the round of 16
11:10 a.m.
In the previous match at AT&T Stadium, Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in the round of 32.
Check out the Star-Telegram’s coverage below:
This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 12:33 PM with the headline "How it happened: Shootout decides World Cup knockout match in Arlington."