Oldest Player in World Cup History Saves Penalty Kick for Egypt

With age, come beauty ... and apparently elite reflexes.

Essam El Hadary of Egypt saves a penalty from Fahad Almuwallad of Saudi Arabia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group A match between Saudia Arabia and Egypt at Volgograd Arena on June 25, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Essam El Hadary of Egypt saves a penalty from Fahad Almuwallad of Saudi Arabia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group A match between Saudia Arabia and Egypt at Volgograd Arena on June 25, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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At 45 years and 161 days old, goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldest player in World Cup history to play in the tournament when he made the start in net for Egypt on Monday.

El-Hadary got the chance to show he’s learned something in his 45-plus years in the game’s 40th minute when he rejected Saudi Arabia forward Fahad Almuwallad’s penalty shot.

Brilliant as the save was, El-Hadary wasn’t able to duplicate it a few moments later when Salman Alfaraj got a second penalty shot in stoppage time.

Regardless of what happens in the game – which was tied 1-1 at halftime – El-Hadary has broken Colombia keeper Faryd Mondragon’sWorld Cup age record of 43 years and three days.

“Obviously every player wants to set a record,” El-Hadary said before the match and the sick save. “It would not only be my achievement but also an achievement for Egypt.”

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