Quick hits: Beach makes a stunning save and Socceroos teen feels the heat

An own goal cancelled out Egypt's early goal before a penalty shootout gamble by Tony Popovic ended in heartbreak for the Socceroos.

Here are the six quick hits from the Socceroos vs Egypt.

1. Popovic's starting line-up first

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has not been afraid to make surprise team selections during this World Cup.

In the opening game against Türkiye he left out veterans Mat Ryan and Jackson Irvine.

Then in the next game against the USA, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, who got the goals against Türkiye, were left on the bench.

There were no such surprises for the game against Egypt with Popovic naming the same side that drew with Paraguay in its last game.

It was the first time Popovic named an unchanged side during his reign as Socceroos coach.

Irankunda started as centre forward again after he said it was a "bit of a surprise" to have played there against Paraguay.

Popovic said there were "many reasons" for why he picked the same side that faced Paraguay.

"Yes, there was good cohesion in that game, but not just that, with this opponent, the eight day break... this team works for us," he said.

2. Defensive lapse proves costly

A lot had been made of the physical test that Australia would give the Egyptians.

With Harry Souttar (198cm) leading the defence, the Socceroos towered over their opponents.

So it would have disappointed Popovic that Egypt's Emam Ashour, probably the smallest player in the penalty area, was allowed a free header to put Egypt in front.

The Socceroos could not get the ball away after clearing a free-kick and the ball was swept back in to the back post where Ashour was free to head past goalkeeper Pat Beach.

It was not good defending from the Socceroos, Egypt getting the chance with the second ball and the change of angle seemed to do for them.

Lucas Herrington was just behind in the line and kept the Egyptians onside.

A defensive disaster for the Socceroos after a bright start where they had been on top.

3. Bos injury blow

With half-time approaching, Jordy Bos was clattered by a challenge that Socceroos assistant coach Paul Okon called a "terrible tackle".

Bos stayed down grasping his knee during a chaotic end to the half.

He needed help leaving the field and it looked pretty obvious that the Socceroos would have to go without one of their best players for the second half.

That proved to be the case, with Kai Trewin coming on for Bos.

It was a huge blow for the Socceroos, with Bos one of their main attacking weapons.

Okon was not happy that Egypt's Ramy Rabia wasn't even booked for the challenge.

"Very disappointing," he said.

4. Set piece success

Set pieces were always going to be vital for the Socceroos because of their height advantage.

The deliveries weren't always the best though.

On 55 minutes, they got one right.

Aiden O'Neill delivered a peach of a free-kick, aiming for the Socceroos' big men in the box, but it was Egypt's Mohamed Hany who got his head to the ball to score an own goal.

It looked initially as if Harry Souttar had scored, but it was Hany who buried the ball into the net.

It was Hany's second own goal of the tournament.

The Socceroos had been threatening in the second half and got their goal.

The goal had followed a shocking miss by Omar Marmoush, who fired wide when it looked easier to score.

But the Socceroos survived and got a slice of luck to make it 1-1.

5. Beach heroics saves Socceroos

Pat Beach had been a spectator for most of the game.

In the third minute of stoppage time, he made one of the saves of the tournament.

A superb cross from the left was met by a bullet header which Beach tipped over the top.

Beach's weight was on the wrong foot and had to stretch all his giant frame to tip it over.

It was an incredible save that took the game to extra time.

Former England striker Chris Sutton called the save "sensational".

6. Penalties heartbreak after Ryan gamble

Despite Beach's heroics, Popovic brought on veteran keeper Mat Ryan with only a minute left of extra time for the penalty shootout.

It was harsh on Beach.

And it was a gamble that ultimately didn't pay off, with Ryan unable to stop any of Egypt's penalties.

Australia made a disastrous start to the shootout with Harry Soutter blazing a shocking penalty over the bar.

Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil both converted to keep the Socceroos alive.

Then up stepped 18-year-old Lucas Herrington.

The teenager had been outstanding during the game, but he fired his spot kick against the bar.

Hossam Abdelmaguid then converted to put Egypt through.

A heartbreaking end to Australia's World Cup.