Egypt goalie, 45, saves penalty as he sets World Cup record

Senior writer

Mon, Jun 25, 2018, 5:09 PM

Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary set a World Cup record when his team’s game vs. Saudi Arabia kicked off on Monday.

El-Hadary, 45, became the oldest player to play in a World Cup game, breaking the record set by Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon at the 2014 World Cup. El-Hadary got the start as Egypt and Saudi Arabia played for bragging rights in Group A. With both Russia and Uruguay sitting at six points, Egypt and Saudi Arabia were eliminated after their second games of the tournament.

El-Hadary wasn’t simply out on the field to set a record. He stopped a first-half penalty kick as well.

Age is nothing but a number!
El Hadary comes up big to deny Saudi Arabia the equalizer from the spot. pic.twitter.com/ui47lgZ3pH
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2018

That save kept Egypt up 1-0, but he couldn’t go 2-for-2 on penalty kicks. Saudi Arabia was awarded another penalty late in the first half and El-Hadary went the wrong way.

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

El-Hadary has been a member of Egypt’s national team since 1996 and has made over 150 appearances for the team.

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

Follow @NickBromberg on Twitter