Herrington's penalty miss ends Australia's World Cup as Egypt advance

Australia out on penalties, Herrington's miss ends the dream

It is over. Australia 1–1 Egypt, and your team lost 4–2 on penalties in the Round of 32 (1) (5) (13). Egypt go through to the last 16. The Socceroos are heading home.

Tony Popovic made a huge call before the shootout, substituting goalkeeper Mat Ryan for penalty specialist Patrick Beach (1). It did not work. Egypt converted four of their five spot kicks. Mohamed Salah sealed it with a Panenka, a decision he made at the last second (11). "If somebody was going to do it, it would be me," Salah said afterwards (11).

The image that will stay with you: 18-year-old Lucas Herrington, the youngest Australian ever to start a World Cup match, seeing his penalty saved by the Egyptian goalkeeper (1) (3).

The team rallies around Herrington

Jackson Irvine went straight to the teenager after the final whistle. "There's not many words you can say to a player in that moment," Irvine said. "Just so that he knows we're there, just to look him in the eye and embrace him and know that that's what this team is about, it's a team first, and it's not about any one player in any moment. For him to step up in that moment, this takes incredible steel" (3).

Harry Souttar and Tony Popovic also consoled the young defender on the pitch (3). Irvine added he approached Herrington "just so he knows that we're all here for him" (3).

Salah's moment, Egypt's history

This is Egypt's first ever World Cup knockout win (12). Salah called it history. "I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on. Enjoy it and don't let the pressure get to you," he said (5).

His Panenka was not pre-planned. "I decided last minute, I had to do it," Salah told the BBC. "I am more experienced than others and I wanted to give them confidence" (11).

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dedicated the win to the Palestinian people. "My heart and soul are with the Palestinian people. I thank them and dedicate this victory to them. We succeeded in making Arab people proud" (1).

The gamble that didn't pay off

Popovic's decision to swap goalkeepers for the shootout will be debated for years. Ryan, the captain and veteran of two World Cup campaigns, was pulled in the 120th minute for Beach, who had never played a World Cup minute (1). Beach faced five Egyptian penalties and saved none. Australian media called it a gamble that backfired (10).

Fan reactions

The fan mood is raw. Salah consoling Australia's players before celebrating with his own teammates became a widely shared moment on r/soccer, with many noting the respect shown despite the heartbreak. Zlatan Ibrahimovic also sent a message to 18-year-old Lucas Herrington after his missed penalty, a gesture that resonated across the subreddit. Read more here.