Egypt coach Hossam Hassan dedicated his team's World Cup knockout win over Australia to the Palestinian people, as the Arab world celebrated the historic victory. Egypt won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time in a tense round of 32 match at Dallas Stadium on Friday.

Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the winning penalty after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed for Australia, sending Egypt into a last-16 clash with Argentina or Cape Verde. Emam Ashour gave Egypt the lead with a 13th-minute header before an own goal by Mohamed Hany leveled the scores.

Speaking after the match, Hassan said: “May God grant them [the Palestinians] victory, may God have mercy on their martyrs. I’m dedicating this victory to the Egyptian people and Palestinian people, those kind and honorable people.” He carried both the Egyptian and Palestinian flags onto the pitch after the win.

Palestinian football fans took to social media to express their shared joy. Gaza-based Tamer Nahed wrote on X: “For the first time, I’m following the World Cup with this much excitement. I was so happy to see Egypt win, but the most beautiful sight was here… thousands of people came out of their tents and from among their destroyed homes to watch the match.”

Social media footage from Gaza showed people gathered at a match screening against the backdrop of bombed buildings and makeshift tents, some smiling and holding up Egypt flags. Children had painted the flag on their faces.

Hours before the victory, members of the Egyptian team were involved in an altercation with police officers in Dallas. The team said a Dallas police officer pushed their director, Ibrahim Hassan, and player Trezeguet as they tried to take a photo with a fan. The Dallas Police Department said the situation was resolved at the scene.

Source: www.aljazeera.com