Australia's penalty goalkeeper gamble against Egypt ends in heartbreak
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Australia's late keeper change failed to stop Egypt in the shootout.
- Harry Souttar's missed opener put the Socceroos under pressure.
- Egypt converted all four penalties to win 4-2 and advance.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic made the eye-catching decision to replace goalkeeper Patrick Beach with veteran Mat Ryan in the closing moments of extra time, hoping the experienced stopper could make the difference from 12 yards.
Ryan arrived with an impressive reputation in shootouts, having saved 11 of the 30 penalties he had previously faced during his professional career.
Egypt, meanwhile, had lost each of their previous four penalty shootouts, giving Australia reason to believe the gamble could pay off.
Egypt win dramatic World Cup shootout
Instead, the plan unravelled almost immediately.Captain Harry Souttar stepped up to take Australia's opening penalty but fired over the crossbar, immediately handing the initiative to Egypt.
Mohamed Salah responded with supreme composure, delicately chipping a Panenka straight down the middle to give the Pharaohs the perfect start.
Ryan was unable to stop any of Egypt's four penalties as the North Africans converted every attempt with clinical precision.
Australia's hopes were further damaged when Lucas Herrington also failed to convert, allowing Egypt to complete a flawless shootout and progress after winning 4-2 on penalties.
Australia recover after difficult first half
Egypt had looked the stronger side early on and deservedly took the lead through Emam Ashour after Australia struggled to establish any rhythm.The contest became increasingly physical after the interval, with the Socceroos growing into the game.
Their equaliser eventually arrived from a set-piece, as Mohamed Hany inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to make it 1-1.
Neither side could find a winner during extra time, setting up the tournament's third Round of 32 match to be settled by penalties.
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Popovic's decision to introduce Ryan specifically for the shootout mirrored a tactic that has become increasingly common in international football.Ironically, Ryan himself experienced the opposite scenario during Australia's qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when he was substituted before a penalty shootout against Peru.
On that occasion, Andrew Redmayne famously replaced Ryan and made the decisive save that secured Australia's place in Qatar.
This time, however, the experienced goalkeeper was unable to produce similar heroics.
Ryan, who has represented clubs including Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Valencia, Real Sociedad, AS Roma, Lens and currently Levante, could only watch as Egypt converted every penalty they took.
Goalkeeper switch follows growing World Cup trend
Replacing a goalkeeper immediately before a penalty shootout has become an increasingly familiar tactical move at major tournaments.Perhaps the most famous example came at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal replaced Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul ahead of a quarter-final shootout against Costa Rica.
Krul saved two penalties as the Dutch progressed, cementing the tactic's place in football folklore.
Australia hoped for a similar outcome in Texas.
Instead, Egypt kept their nerve, delivered a perfect penalty display and ended the Socceroos' World Cup campaign.
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