The AT&T Stadium in Dallas will host the match between Australia and Egypt on 3 July.
The Australian national team
The ‘Socceroos’ will play their third World Cup knockout match, although in both previous appearances they were knocked out of the tournament after losing to the eventual World Cup winners (in 2006 and 2022). The team has always been known for its attacking prowess, although they now need to improve their performance.
They have failed to score a single goal in their last two matches. Having conceded just two goals, Tony Popovic’s side boasted one of the best defences in the group stage.
In only two of Australia’s last nine matches have both teams scored. Australia have kept a clean sheet in four of their last six World Cup matches.
Harry Suttar’s last four goals in international matches were scored in winning matches, although the most recent of these was in January 2024.
Egypt national team
Egypt had already secured their place in the play-offs before the start of their match against Iran on the third day of the tournament. For the first time in history, the ‘Pharaohs’ have reached the play-offs after the group stage of the tournament.
It is worth noting that in Egypt’s last five World Cup matches, both teams have scored. The African side have scored five of their last seven goals that put them ahead in normal time within the first 20 minutes of the game.
Trezeguet has been directly involved in two goalscoring moves at this World Cup (1 goal, 1 assist); his header was the winning goal in Egypt’s victory over New Zealand.
Australia v Egypt prediction
Australia have demonstrated a solid defence in this tournament, so a draw at the end of normal time could be a perfectly realistic outcome. It is not out of the question that the teams could go to a penalty shoot-out.
Main bet – Australia total over 2.57
Recommended bet – Australia to win
Score 2–1
