It is perhaps not surprising that a centre-back like Alessandro Circati sees Australia’s clean sheet in the group stage as a “great satisfaction” – before the team face Egypt in the last eight in Dallas.
The Socceroos started the World Cup with a 2-0 win over Turkey, drew with Paraguay – who later knocked out Germany – and finished with a 2-0 loss to host nation USA at home.
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“We had a very tough group,” says Parma defender Circati via Australia’s website. “We showed how solid we are defensively as a team – both the players on the pitch and those on the bench, because those who don’t play really help us in training as well.
“It’s very positive and gives us confidence. I’m sure Egypt is looking at it and thinking that it won’t be easy and they won’t get many chances. Once they get the chances, they have to take them – and we have to limit it for them.
Africa’s most successful team, Egypt, won a World Cup match for the first time at the ninth attempt when they beat New Zealand 3-1, as well as 1-1 against Belgium and Iran.
“It’s unbelievable,” reflects goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. “History has been written – we have advanced for the first time ever. We are very proud of this.
“We’re looking forward to the game. Australia is on the biggest stage, so of course they are a big team.
The winner of this clash will face Argentina or Cape Verde in Atlanta on Tuesday (17:00 local time). The latter two meet in Miami on Friday night.
Lineups and injuries
Egypt: Leading star striker Mohamed Salah is uncertain after he was substituted after 57 minutes against Iran with a hamstring injury. Winger Ahmed Fatouh is likely to be out with a hamstring strain, while centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem could recover from a serious ankle contusion.
Australia: Full-back Jacob Italiano (groin) and midfielder Mathew Leckie (leg) are out for the rest of the championship due to injury.
Probable line-ups
Australia (XI): Patrick Beach – Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Lucas Herrington, Jordan Bos – Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine, Aziz Behich – Cristian Volpato, Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe
Egypt (XI): Mostafa Shobeir – Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Hamza Abdelkarim – Emam Ashour, Mohanad Lasheen – Zizo, Mahmoud Saber, Trezeguet – Mostafa Zico
Key figures
Australia:
- A draw against Paraguay was their first 0-0 at the World Cup since their meeting with Chile in 1974
- They were held goalless in two consecutive games in a World Cup for the first time in 52 years
- Two goals in the group stage equalled Australia’s weakest group stage since 1974, when they did not score at all
- Lucas Herrington (18 years, 294 days) became the youngest player ever to start for Australia at the World Cup, and the second youngest to play for the Socceroos overall (Garang Kuol was 18 years and 68 days)
- Jackson Irvine is the third player with 10 World Cup appearances for Australia, after Mathew Leckie (11) and Mathew Ryan (10)
Egypt:
- This is the first time Egypt has reached the playoffs after playing in the group stage
- Mahmoud Saber’s goal after 4 minutes and 26 seconds against Iran was Egypt’s fastest in World Cup history
- Mostafa Shobeir is the second Egyptian goalkeeper to save a penalty at the World Cup, after Essam El-Hadary who did it against Saudi Arabia in 2018
- Mohamed Salah is the first Egypt player with five World Cup starts – but the 57 minutes against Iran were his fewest in a World Cup match with 19 minutes
- Trezeguet has two direct goal points (one goal, one assist) in this championship. In the three World Cup matches he played in 2018, he had none.
Our Prediction
Australia played a low-scoring game against Paraguay, and if Tony Popovic’s side can keep the lead, they could have just enough to turn around an injury-prone Egypt side.
Egypt have yet to keep a clean sheet in this tournament, but have not lost by more than one goal in their last 15 matches – including friendlies.
Divination: Australia 1–0 Egypt
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