Egypt made history on Friday by advancing to the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time, and their coach Hossam Hassan marked the achievement by waving a Palestinian flag during the celebrations.
Historic Penalty Shootout Victory
The Pharaohs defeated Australia in a penalty shootout at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after a tense Round of 32 match. The win secured Egypt's place in the next stage, where they will face Lionel Messi's Argentina.
Immediately after the final whistle, Hassan carried a Palestinian flag and ran to one corner of the pitch to celebrate with fans. Videos of the coach waving both the Egyptian and Palestinian flags quickly spread across social media, garnering thousands of shares and reposts on X (formerly Twitter).
Dedication to Palestine
In a post-match statement, Hassan expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people. "My heart and soul are with the good people of Palestine. I thank them very much for being happy for us. God bless them and have mercy on the souls of their martyrs. And I would like to tell them: I dedicate this win to the people of Egypt and the people of Palestine," he said.
A 28-second video shared widely on X showed Hassan waving the Palestinian flag while fans chanted "Free, free Palestine." The gesture drew widespread attention, particularly in the Middle East.
Celebrations in Gaza
Social media also captured scenes of joy in Gaza, where residents celebrated Egypt's victory. Videos showed crowds cheering and waving flags, reflecting the deep connection between the Egyptian team and Palestinian supporters.
Hassan, a former striker who played for Egypt in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, has been praised for his leadership and emotional dedication. The win marks a milestone for Egyptian football, as the team had never before advanced beyond the group stage in a World Cup.
Next Challenge: Argentina
Egypt now faces a formidable opponent in Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, in the Round of 16. The match is expected to be one of the most anticipated games of the tournament, with Egypt aiming to continue their historic run.
