Egypt Coach Dedicates World Cup Win to Palestine

Washington, MINA – Egypt’s national team coach Hossam Hassan has dedicated his team’s historic World Cup knockout victory to the people of Palestine, sparking celebrations that stretched from Cairo to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera reports.

In a tense round of 32 match at Dallas Stadium on Friday, Egypt held their nerve to beat Australia 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 following extra time. It was Egypt’s first ever win in a World Cup knockout stage match, a milestone that sent players and fans alike into raptures.

Emam Ashour gave Egypt the lead in the 13th minute with a header, but an own goal from Mohamed Hany ten minutes into the second half brought Australia back on level terms. With neither side able to find a winner in normal or extra time, the match was decided from the penalty spot.

Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington both missed for Australia, while Hossam Abdelmaguid calmly stepped up to score the decisive spot-kick, sending Egypt through to the last sixteen where they will face either Argentina or Cape Verde.

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After the final whistle, an emotional Hossam Hassan spoke to reporters and made his feelings clear. He said he was dedicating the win to the Egyptian people and the Palestinian people, calling them kind and honourable. He also carried both the Egyptian and Palestinian flags onto the pitch as his players knelt down in prostration, a gesture that quickly went viral across social media.

The victory was celebrated widely across the Arab world, but perhaps nowhere more intensely than in Gaza. Social media posts from the besieged strip showed crowds gathering around screens set up among destroyed buildings and makeshift tents.

Children painted their faces with Egypt’s colours and waved flags, smiling and cheering despite the devastation around them.

One Palestinian fan, Tamer Nahed, wrote on X that it was the first time he had followed the World Cup with such excitement, adding that the most beautiful sight was seeing thousands of people come out of their tents and destroyed homes to watch the match. He said faces lit up with smiles and cheers filled the air, and it felt as if everyone had decided to give themselves a moment of life despite everything surrounding them.

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Hours before the victory, however, the Egyptian team found themselves in an unexpected controversy. Video footage circulated online showing members of the squad involved in an altercation with police officers at their team hotel in Dallas.

The Egyptian Football Association said a Dallas police officer pushed the team’s director, Ibrahim Hassan, and player Trezeguet while they were trying to take a photo with a fan. The Dallas Police Department later stated that the situation had been resolved at the scene, and no further action was taken.

For now, Egypt’s focus remains on the next challenge, but the emotional weight of Friday night’s win and the solidarity shown with Palestine will not be forgotten anytime soon.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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