In the middle of the drama at the World Cup, the Egyptian coach showed Mbappé’s penalty from Real. That was crucial

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Popovic’s risk with goalkeepers

After 120 minutes of grueling fighting and a 1-1 score, Australia’s coach Tony Popović he made a bold but controversial move. In the very end, he took the 22-year-old out of the game Patrick Beachthe goalkeeper who defended brilliantly throughout the tournament, and sent veteran Mathew Ryan onto the field. The idea was clear: to use Ryan’s reputation as a penalty expert, who had saved twelve in his career. It was tactical poker, a move seen in the history of the World Cup, which knew how to create heroes. Beach, who only saw at the traffic light that he was leaving, did not hide his disappointment, and Popovicć gambled, hoping that his experience would bring him the upper hand.

Quick reaction: Mbappé as leaderč

However, the Egyptian stožer did not waste time. As soon as Ryan entered the game, a laptop appeared on their bench around which the players gathered. Grozničavo studied the tape from the Spanish league match between Real Madrid and Levantewhere there was a collision between Kylian Mbappé and Mathew Ryan from the penalty spot. The Australian goalkeeper then tried to deconcentrate the Frenchman by dancing along the line, but Mbappé cold-bloodedly sent him to one side and the ball to the other side, and then mocked him by imitating his movements. The goal of the analysis was clear: dissect Ryan’s habits, predict his movements and reactions under pressure. In modern football, where attention is paid to every detail, this was a masterstroke of tactical preparation.

Salah’s insolence and the stopper’s misses

The analysis paid off immediately. Captain Mohamed Salah took the third penalty. Seeing that Ryan had started to move again before the shot, the star of Egypt decided on a cheeky ‘panenka’ and slightly undermined the ball in the middle of the goal while the Australian goalkeeper was moreć was on earth.

​- If someone had to do it, it’s me. I am more experienced than others and I wanted to give them confidence. I decided at the last minute, I had to do it – said Salah after the match.

His move gave wings to the rest of the team. The Egyptians were infallible before and until the end of the penalty kicks. On the other hand, the Australian plan fell apart. Captain Harry Souttar and 18-year-old Lucas Herringtonboth stoppers, took charge and both missed their goal. Ryan failed to save a single shot, and the winning goal for Egypt was scored by Hossam Abdelmaguid for a final 4-2 shootout and an eruption of celebration.

Historic celebration and Australian grief

While the Egyptians celebrated the greatest success in the history of their national team with tears of joy, the Australians left the field in sadness. Popović’s tactical maneuver became the subject of criticism, both because of the change of goalkeeper, and because of the decision that the key penalties should be taken by the defenders.

​- That was always an option for us, because of his experience. You have to see how the game unfolds… We had one more substitution available and we brought Matty on – he defended his decision to Popovicć.

The emotional Salah, on the other hand, sympathized with the feelings of his nation. He said that he was proud of his teammates and happy that they managed to make history and ensure their country’s continued competition on the world’s biggest stage.