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.
Essam El-Hadary makes a fantastic save for #EGY! #KSAEGY pic.twitter.com/t3iLTdNWzS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 25, 2018
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.
Saudi Arabia get their first goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup!
They’re awarded their second penalty of the day and this time it’s buried to make it 1-1 at halftime. pic.twitter.com/A4v3y9yD5y
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2018
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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