Egypt became only the second African nation after Morocco to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, while Cape Verde’s remarkable debut campaign ended against defending champions Argentina and Ghana fell to Colombia.
In Dallas, the Pharaohs recorded the first knockout victory in their World Cup history, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
Emam Ashour gave Egypt the lead in the 13th minute, heading home after Karim Hafez recycled possession following a set piece. The midfielder, who had never scored for his country before this tournament, now has two goals here.
Australia threatened an early response when Cristian Volpato struck the crossbar from distance, but Egypt were the better side before the Socceroos levelled shortly after the restart.
Mohamed Hany inadvertently headed Aiden O’Neill’s free-kick into his own net — his second own goal of the tournament — forcing the match into extra time.
Both sides had opportunities to settle the contest before penalties. Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach produced a superb save to deny Rami Rabia’s powerful header from a Mohamed Salah cross, while Mostafa Shobeir made several important saves at the other end.
Salah, passed fit despite a hamstring concern, later converted an audacious Panenka penalty in the shootout as Egypt scored all four of their spot-kicks. Misses from Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington ended Australia’s hopes before Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the decisive penalty to send Egypt into the last 16.
The result made Egypt the second African nation after Morocco to progress beyond the Round of 32 at the expanded 48-team World Cup, setting up a meeting with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Atlanta on July 7.
That match was confirmed only hours later after Argentina survived a dramatic battle against debutants Cape Verde in Miami.
he Blue Sharks — the third-smallest nation ever to appear at a World Cup — twice fought back against the reigning world champions before falling 3-2 after extra time in one of the matches of the tournament.
Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute after controlling Lisandro Martinez’s pass before lifting the ball over Vozinha. The strike was the Argentine captain’s 20th World Cup goal and extended his run to eight consecutive World Cup matches with a goal.
Cape Verde responded. Deroy Duarte brought the island nation level shortly after the restart, finishing past Emiliano Martinez after a flowing move down the right flank.
Argentina led again early in extra time through Lisandro Martinez, only for Cape Verde to equalise. Left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a magnificent effort into the top corner to make it 2-2 and keep Cape Verde alive.
The run finally ended in the 111th minute when a Messi corner caused confusion inside the penalty area and Diney Borges diverted the ball into his own net under pressure.
Cape Verde leave North America having drawn with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in the group stage and pushed the defending champions to extra time in the last 32.
“We dignify what our country is. More than anything, we are proud of our players and what they showed at this World Cup,” Coach Bubista said after the match.
Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Ghana’s campaign ended after Colombia won a narrow 1-0 victory to progress to the Round of 16.
Jhon Arias scored the only goal in the 14th minute after Luis Suarez broke down the right and squared for the midfielder to finish first time into the bottom corner.
Ghana started well, with Thomas Partey testing Colombia from long range, but created little against a disciplined South American side. Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi kept them in it with several important saves, while Luis Diaz had a second Colombian goal ruled out for offside.
Ghana pushed for an equaliser late on but could not find one as Colombia held on and set up a Round of 16 match against Switzerland.
