Egypt coach waves Palestine flag after team qualifies for World Cup Round of 16: 'My heart and soul are with them'

Egypt registered their first ever World Cup knockout victory as they defeated Australia in a tense Round of 32 match on Friday to confirm their berth in the last 16. While the match itself had many big moments, one big highlight from the game came after it ended.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan waved the Palestinian flag on the ground after his team's historic victory in a thrilling game that stretched into penalties.

Egypt coach's tribute to Palestine

Egypt and Australia both scored once each in the regulation time to stay locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Extra time also saw both teams not being able to break the deadlock which took the match into a penalty shootout.

Egypt won the match 4-2 in the shootout to send Australia home and reach the Round of 16 where they will face a mammoth challenge in the form of defending champions Argentina.

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After the match, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan waved a Palestinian flag on the pitch. A video going viral on social media shows Hassan walking around the pitch holding the flag as chants of “free free Palestine” were being raised.

Hassan dedicated the victory to Egyptians as well to the Palestinian people. “My heart and soul are with them,” he said in an emotional post-game interview.

Protests have erupted in several parts of the world in the wake of Israel's military action in Gaza following Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. More than 70000 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces since then.

Earlier this year Spain's superstar teenager Lamine Yamal had also waved a Palestinian flag during celebrations Barcelona's LaLiga victory.

It remains to be seen if FIFA would seek to take any action against the Egyptian coach. At the time of writing, no action has been taken even though the global football governing body has tried to restrict political messaging on the ground.