Egypt’s fairytale ends, but history is made

Doha, Qatar: For 78 unforgettable minutes in Houston, Egypt stood on the brink of history. hiddenlangkawi.club

Two goals ahead against reigning champions Argentina, the Pharaohs were within touching distance of a first-ever FIFA World Cup quarter-final. Then came the response only champions could produce. Lionel Messi inspired a stunning late comeback as Argentina scored three times in the final 13 minutes to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory, bringing an end to Egypt’s fairytale run in North America.

The defeat was heartbreaking, but it should not overshadow what has been the greatest World Cup campaign in Egypt’s history.

Competing in only their fourth FIFA World Cup after appearances in 1934, 1990 and 2018, Egypt arrived in North America carrying an unwanted record: they had never won a World Cup match. They leave North America having rewritten almost every chapter of their World Cup history.

الأخبارعُمان تواصل التعامل مع سفينة نفطية جانحة للحد من مخاطرها البيئيةأكدت السلطات العمانية اليوم، أنها تواصل جهودها للتعامل مع حادثة السفينة النفطية Caroline Bezengi التي جنحت في مياهها الإقليمية قبالة جزر الحلانيات بمحافظة ظفار، للحد من مخاطر ال...فتح →

The seven-time African champions opened their campaign by holding Belgium to a 1-1 draw before recording the nation’s first-ever World Cup victory with a 3-1 win over New Zealand. A 1-1 draw against Iran then secured second place in the group, with the Pharaohs progressing to the knockout rounds unbeaten. It marked a remarkable turnaround from Russia 2018, where they exited after losing all three group-stage matches.

The Round of 32 clash against Australia was another historic moment for Egypt. Making their first appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds, the Pharaohs showed composure as well as character. After a 1-1 draw, they converted all four penalties in the shootout to secure a 4-2 victory, becoming the only team at World Cup 2026 so far to maintain a perfect record from the spot. It also sealed Egypt’s first-ever World Cup knockout victory.

Their reward was a meeting with defending champions Argentina and a showdown between Egypt’s greatest-ever footballer and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

Days before the tournament, Mohamed Salah had been asked who he would choose for a “last dance” at the World Cup. Without hesitation, he named Lionel Messi. Fate delivered exactly that.

The embrace between the two captains before kick-off reflected the respect they have shared throughout their careers. For long periods, it was Salah who looked set to enjoy the perfect farewell, inspiring the Pharaohs into a two-goal lead and within minutes of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history before Argentina’s quality ultimately told.

Whether this proves to be Salah’s final World Cup remains unknown, but his place in Egyptian football history is beyond question. Already the nation’s leading World Cup goalscorer and record appearance-maker, the former Liverpool forward captained Egypt to their first World Cup victory, first unbeaten group stage, first knockout appearance and first knockout triumph.

“I don’t know whether this is the last dance, but it’s always been an honour to wear this shirt,” Salah said. “I hope I can inspire people, particularly children, to believe they can go far. I hope they see me as a source of inspiration. Success is not reserved for one person, and someone else’s success does not diminish my own.”

The quarter-finals may have slipped from their grasp, but Egypt leave World Cup 2026 with something far more valuable than a place in the last eight. After decades of waiting, the Pharaohs finally announced themselves on football’s biggest stage and gave the world a glimpse of what Egyptian football is capable of.

Doha, Qatar: When Norway and England meet in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals early Sunday morning (12am Qatar time), a place among the final four will be at stake, but so too will two very different footballing dreams.

England continue their pursuit of a first World Cup title since 1966, while Norway have already rewritten their record books in North America and now stand one victory away from a first semi-final appearance.

Both arrive full of belief after surviving dramatic knockout encounters, setting up what promises to be one of the most intriguing ties of the tournament.

Thomas Tuchel’s England have shown resilience as much as quality on their route to the last eight. After topping Group L ahead of Croatia, the Three Lions have twice been forced to dig deep when their World Cup hopes appeared to be slipping away.

Their Round of 32 clash against DR Congo produced another landmark in England’s World Cup history. Brian Cipenga’s early strike left them trailing at half-time before captain Harry Kane produced a trademark response, scoring twice to secure a 2-1 victory and hand England their first-ever World Cup comeback win after trailing at the interval.

England’s Round of 16 clash against Mexico proved another dramatic test. Jude Bellingham struck twice in quick succession to put England firmly in control before Julian Quinones reduced the deficit. Jarell Quansah’s dismissal threatened to swing the momentum completely, but Kane calmly converted from the penalty spot for his sixth goal of the tournament before Raul Jimenez replied with another spot-kick. England ultimately survived a tense finale to prevail 3-2 and return to the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament.

Standing in their way are a Norway side who have become one of the stories of World Cup 2026.

Having finished runners-up in Group I, Stale Solbakken’s men have embraced the knockout rounds with fearless conviction. They secured the nation’s first-ever World Cup knockout victory by defeating Cote d’Ivoire before producing one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by eliminating five-time champions Brazil.

Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland’s penalty save proved pivotal before Erling Haaland struck twice in the closing stages to send Norway into the last eight of the World Cup for the first time.

Erling Haaland has been Norway’s standout performer with seven goals this tournament, while captain Martin Odegaard has continued to impress with his creativity in midfield.

For Haaland, the quarter-final carries extra significance.

“It’s a special game, yeah, definitely. I think for me it’s super special, because I play in England and I was born in England, and you also play against team-mates and everything. It’s a funny game and it’s gonna be nice,” Haaland said.

“Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil and then go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the USA is quite special.”

England also have their own stars in fine form. Harry Kane has scored six goals and provided one assist in five matches, while Jude Bellingham has delivered another series of influential performances and will be looking to add to his tally in the quarter-finals.

With two of the game’s most prolific strikers leading the line, fine margins could decide the contest.

England will be without suspended defender Jarell Quansah following his red card against Mexico, while Norway are monitoring the fitness of full-back David Moller Wolfe after he was forced off during the victory over Brazil.

Jordan Henderson is also an injury concern for England after suffering a wrist injury in the celebrations following the Mexico win.

History offers England encouragement.

The Three Lions have won seven of the 12 previous meetings between the nations, with Norway victorious twice and three matches ending level.

Yet history has counted for little throughout this World Cup.

أعلن سعادة السيد جاسم راشد البوعينين رئيس الاتحاد القطري لكرة القدم، أمس استقالته رسميا من منصبه. وقال البوعينين في بيان على حسابه الشخصي على منصة التواصل الاجتماعي «إكس» إنه يتقدم باستقالته بعد ثلاث سنوات خدم فيها بالعمل كرئيس مجلس إدارة الاتحاد القطري لكرة القدم.
وأضاف بأنها كانت مرحلةً مليئة بالتحديات، لكن بالإصرار والإخلاص تحولت الطموحات إلى واقع، مؤكدا أن المصلحة العامة كانت وستظل فوق كل اعتبار، وأن النوايا الصادقة قادرة على تجاوز كل العوائق متمنيا تواصل مسيرة الكرة القطرية نحو المزيد من النجاح والتقدم والازدهار.