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3 hours ago
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Egypt is playing deeper into a World Cup than it ever has before.
And on Tuesday in the Round of 16 against Argentina, the Pharaohs took a 1-0 lead, and then Mostafa Shobeir saved a penalty against Lionel Messi.
It was a brilliant start to the match for the Egyptian keeper, who guessed correctly and had a strong dive to his left to parry Messi's pull-side penalty aside.
It's one that probably doesn't surprise football fans in Egypt, though. Shobeir isn't even the first member of his family to take the goal for the Pharaohs.
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Who is Egypt's goalie?
Egypt has Mostafa Shobeir in goal at the 2026 World Cup.
Shobeir is 26 years old and was born in Giza.
He plays his club football for Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, which played in the United States last summer as part of the Club World Cup.
Shobeir had played in just eight matches for Egypt in his career entering this World Cup.
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Mostafa Shobeir's dad
Shobeir is a second-generation Egyptian goalkeeper.
His father, Ahmed, also stood between the posts for the Pharaohs.
Ahmed went on to be the vice president of the Egyptian Football Association.
As a player, Ahmed played his whole career for Al Ahly, and he had 107 appearances for the Egyptian national team.
Ahmed was also involved in the controversial 0-0 draw with Ireland in the 1990 World Cup, in which there was not yet a back pass rule, allowing the game to turn into a farce with the Egyptians passing the ball back to him over and over.
His son will now be remembered for something much more positive -- saving a Messi penalty.
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