Egypt’s fairytale ends, but history is made

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

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. palladian.co.za

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.

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.

الأخبارشرح عمليات يوم المباراة لحكام النخبةتتواصل فعاليات معسكر حكام النخبة بالاتحاد القطري لكرة القدم المقام في فندق إنتركونتيننتال، والذي يختتم أعماله اليوم، وسط برنامج متكامل من المحاضرات النظرية والتطبيقات العملية، ا...فتح →

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: Spain head into FIFA World Cup semi-final against France with growing confidence after their dramatic victory over Belgium, convinced they have what it takes to stop the tournament favourites.

Luis de la Fuente’s side booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 win over Belgium on Friday with Mikel Merino coming off the bench to score the winner in the 88th minute after Fabian Ruiz’s opener had been cancelled out by Charles De Ketelaere.

The late triumph extended Spain’s impressive run in North America and reinforced the belief within the camp that the reigning European champions can once again get the better of France on Tuesday.

“It’s fair to think we can beat France; we’re going to work hard for them. We’re the only team that has managed to beat them twice. A great team is going to face another great team,” De la Fuente said after the quarter-final.

The Spain coach described the clash as “a final before the final”, insisting his players are capable of overcoming any opponent despite the quality waiting for them in Arlington.

“We’re aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we’re the only team to have beaten them in two semi-finals,” he said.

Spain defeated France 2-1 in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals before edging Les Bleus 5-4 in last year’s UEFA Nations League semi-final, results that have given the squad added confidence ahead of another meeting with Didier Deschamps’ side.

De la Fuente knows the challenge will be greater than ever against a France team led by Kylian Mbappe and packed with attacking talent, but believes Spain have earned the right to trust their own football.

“The match will be more open than ever. We will have to raise our level of play and we’re going to give everything,” he said.

That confidence is shared by teenage star Lamine Yamal, who once again produced a lively display against Belgium.

“There are two possibilities: either they reach three World Cup finals in a row, or we beat them three times. I don’t know what might happen, but we’re not afraid at all,” Yamal said.

“I’m really happy with the win. Back in the semi-finals again. That’s what we came here for – to play these matches and win them. Now it’s time to rest and start thinking about the match against France.”

Spain have steadily gathered momentum after a goalless draw with Cape Verde in their opening match, going on to top their group before defeating Austria, Portugal and Belgium in the knockout rounds. Merino’s late winners against Portugal and Belgium have highlighted the depth available to De la Fuente, while Spain have conceded just one goal across their last five matches.

France, meanwhile, have lived up to their billing as one of the tournament’s strongest sides, reaching the semi-finals after victories over Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco, with Mbappe continuing to spearhead one of the competition’s most dangerous attacks.

عقدت الجمعية العمومية العادية لنادي الوكرة اجتماعها العادي امس بحضور 23 عضواً وتضمنت العديد من التفاصيل المهمة التي تمهد لمنافسات الموسم الجديد في كافة الألعاب، كما تضمنت مناقشة تقرير مجلس الإدارة للموسم الرياضي المنتهي بأنشطته الرياضية والثقافية بالإضافة إلى عرض لخطة النشاط في الموسم الرياضي الجديد وعرض ميزانية تقديرية لهذا الموسم الجديد.


وبدأت فعاليات الجمعية العمومية بكلمة ألقاها عبد الهادي خميس المدير التنفيذي بالنادي رحب فيها بجميع الحضور قبل أن يبدأ مناقشة الأعضاء في جميع الأمور المتعلقة بالنادي وقامت الجمعية العمومية بالتصديق على محضر الاجتماع السابق ومناقشة تقرير مجلس الإدارة عن السنة المنتهية والتصديق على الحساب الختامي للسنة المالية المنتهية ثم تم فتح الباب أمام الاستفسارات الخاصة من الأعضاء حول كل الأمور المتعلقة بالنادي. وفي سياق متصل دشن النادي رسمياً هويته البصرية وشعاره الجديد، معلناً انطلاق مرحلة متقدمة وجديدة في مسيرة النادي الرياضية والمجتمعية، وذلك في الجمعية العمومية غير العادية التي عقدت أمس.
وأعرب سعادة الشيخ سعود بن عبدالرحمن آل ثاني، رئيس النادي، عن فخره واعتزازه بهذا التحول التاريخي، مؤكداً أن إطلاق الهوية الجديدة ليس مجرد تغيير شكلي، بل هو امتداد أصيل لإرث النادي ووفاء وعرفان لكل الأجيال والرموز الذين ساهموا في بناء أمجاد الوكرة وصناعة إنجازاته المتتالية.
وحرص رئيس النادي ونائبه الشيخ فهد بن حسن آل ثاني، خلال الحفل المتميز على تكريم عدد من رؤساء النادي السابقين وهم صقر محمد صقر المفتاح ويوسف محمد يوسف المحمود وسعادة الشيخ فهد بن حسن آل ثاني وسعادة الشيخ خليفة بن حسن آل ثاني الذي تسلم الجائزة بدلًا منه سعادة الشيخ حمد بن خليفة بن حسن آل ثاني.
كما حرص رئيس النادي أيضًا على تكريم الفائزين الثلاثة الأوائل في مسابقة الشعار الجديد التي أطلقها النادي خلال الفترة الماضية حيث فاز بالمركز الأول أسامة يحيى عبد الله وأدهم محمد عواضة بالمركز الثاني وفاز عبد الله ناصر الفخري بالمركز الثالث.