Egypt coach dedicates historic World Cup knockout win to Palestinians
Fans in Gaza celebrated Egypt’s win at match screenings held against the backdrop of bombed buildings.
![Egypt coach Hossam Hassan celebrates with a Palestine flag after the match as Egypt qualify for the Round of 16 stage of the World Cup at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US on July 3, 2026. [Hannah Mckay/Reuters]](https://tbsnews.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_3/public/images/2026/07/04/egypt_coach_hossam_hassan.jpg)
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has dedicated his team's historic World Cup knockout victory over Australia to the people of Palestine, who joined the rest of the Arab world in celebrating the win through the night, reports Al Jazeera.
Egypt held their nerve to beat Australia 4-2 on penalties and secure their first World Cup knockout victory following a 1-1 draw after extra time in a cagey round of 32 match at Dallas Stadium on Friday (3 July).
Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the winning spot-kick after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed from 12 yards for Australia, sending Egypt into a last-16 clash with Argentina or Cape Verde.
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Emam Ashour gave Egypt the lead with a 13th-minute header before an own goal by Mohamed Hany 10 minutes into the second half levelled the scores.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Hassan said, "May God grant them [the Palestinians] victory, may God have mercy on their martyrs.
"I'm saying to them: I'm dedicating this victory to the Egyptian people and Palestinian people, those kind and honourable people."
Hassan carried both the Egyptian and Palestinian flags onto the pitch following the victory, which was the country's first win in its first-ever World Cup knockout match.
The Egyptian players then collectively bent down on the ground in prostration.
Several Palestinian football fans took to social media to express their shared joy with Egypt.
"For the first time, I'm following the World Cup with this much excitement," Gaza-based Tamer Nahed wrote on X.
"I was so happy to see Egypt win a little while ago, 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.
"Faces lit up with smiles, cheers filled the air, and it felt as if everyone had decided to give themselves a moment of life despite everything surrounding them," he wrote.
Social media footage from the besieged strip showed people gathered at a match screening against the backdrop of bombed buildings and makeshift tents.
Some were seen smiling and holding Egyptian flags, while many children had the country's flag painted on their faces.
