The Socceroos’ last 32 opponent has been confirmed as Egypt, after a rollercoaster evening in Group G that at different times had the formidable Belgium and underdogs Iran in line to play Australia.
It will be Egypt’s anthem, however, playing alongside Advance Australia Fair in Dallas just before the 1pm kick-off on Friday 3 July local time (4am AEST on Saturday 4 July), after the African nation secured a 1-1 draw against Iran to claim second place in Group G.
Australia and Egypt will meet for the first time at a World Cup and for just the third time in their history. Their most recent clash was in November 2010 when the Socceroos lost a friendly against the Pharaohs 3-0 in Cairo.
Little appears to separate the two teams before they cross paths in the last 32 with Egypt ranked No 26 and only two spots ahead of the Socceroos.
Egypt were unbeaten in their group, with a win – their first at a World Cup – and two draws, though they have been left sweating on the fitness of their talisman Mo Salah.
The Egypt captain was taken off in the 57th minute against Iran with the scores level and the group’s outcome still in the balance.
Salah was pictured on the bench with an ice pack on his left hamstring afterwards. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan confirmed the attacker requested to be substituted and will need to be assessed.
The former Liverpool maestro has one goal and two assists in this World Cup, two weeks after his 34th birthday.
Mahmoud Saber opened the scoring for Egypt in the fifth minute to begin a final group stage game of escalating drama. It featured a missed penalty from Iran, then an equaliser soon after. Yet the intense, physical contest did not truly come alive until the dying stages.
First Iran striker Mehdi Taremi had his header hit the bar in the 89th minute, then a goal from Shoja Khalilzadeh was ruled out by VAR three minutes into stoppage time.
There was still time for another Iranian near-miss as the clock ticked down, when Saeid Ezatolahi hit the crossbar with his own header.
An Iran victory would have secured them second place in the group and a first appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds. It would have also meant a last 32 showdown with Australia, their Asian confederation rivals and the nation they defeated on away goals in the memorable World Cup qualifier at the MCG in 1997.
Despite the frustration in the match’s late stages, Iran are within touching distance of reaching the last 32 as a third-placed qualifier after their three group stage draws.
For a moment on Friday, the Socceroos were due to face Belgium, as Egypt – who went into the final fixtures on top of the group – appeared to have done enough to secure the top spot.
But with Egypt struggling to overcome Iran, Belgium began to rack up the goals against New Zealand, ultimately winning the match 5-1 and securing top spot in the group on goal difference of plus-four. Egypt finished second, on the same five points, but with a goal difference of plus-two.
The Socceroos will move from their base in Oakland on Wednesday, three days ahead of the match against Egypt.
