Key events
This is how we saw things from the outset. Reacquaint yourself with today’s cast and crew.
Preamble
Australia have made it out of the group stage at the World Cup twice before. On both occasions, in 2006 and 2022, they lost their first knockout game to the eventual champions, respectively Italy and Argentina. That historical quirk will almost certainly be consigned to the dustbin this year, because either the Socceroos will win a knockout game for the first time ever, or if they lose again … well, you can get 500-1 on the Pharaohs going all the way, so best of luck with that.
Australia didn’t exactly wow the world in getting through Group D. A 2-0 win over false-starting Turkey, a 2-0 loss against the USA, and a goalless draw with Paraguay. But they made it anyway. By contrast, while this isn’t the greatest iteration of Egypt either, the seven-time champions of Africa do have Mo Salah primed for one last hurrah, and qualifying for the knockouts for the first time in four attempts has got them buzzing in a way the Socceroos are not.
Still, on balance, it’s too close to call. One of these countries will make history today by winning their first-ever World Cup knockout match, after which they’ll most probably be playing the reigning champs Argentina in the last 16. A hell of a big prize is on offer, so may the best side win. Kick-off is at 1pm local/2pm EDT/7pm BST/4am AEST. It’s on!
