Egypt prepared for their World Cup penalty shootout victory over Australia by watching a clip of a Kylian Mbappe penalty.
The African nation booked their place in the last 16 with a 4-2 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. The Aussies made a tactical change ahead of the shootout, opting to bring on former Arsenal goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.
That substitution made no difference as Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed their spot-kicks. Ryan didn't manage to save a single one of the Egyptians', including Mohamed Salah, who produced a clever finish.
Egypt studied Ryan vs Mbappe
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Mathew Ryan (Australia) at World CupHannah McKay via Action Images via Reuters
One of the Egyptians' coaching team brought out a laptop and showed the players a clip of Mbappe scoring a penalty in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Levante in January. This had evidently been pre-planned and to ensure Hossam Hassan's men weren't distracted by Ryan.
The Australian goalkeeper had been in goal for Mbappe's spot-kick and tried to put the French forward off by moving side to side along his goal line. He ended up getting sent the wrong way, and that was the case for most of the Round of 32 shootout.
There is a chance the African country expected their opponents to make the goalkeeping change and knew what to expect. Mbappe mocked Ryan after scoring his penalty, which will have undoubtedly irked the former Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper.
Being eliminated from the World Cup will have hurt even more, especially when given the opportunity to be your country's hero. Instead, he and the Socceroos have bowed out of the competition while Egypt head into the last 16, where they will meet either Argentina or Cape Verde.
Australia penalty selection stirs up controversy
Lucas Herrington (Australia) after loss to EgyptKai Pfaffenbach via Action Images via Reuters
Ryan's failure to save any of Egypt's penalties wasn't what ultimately cost Tony Popovic's side. Misses from Souttar and Herrington meant they were knocked out in the first knockout round.
There has since been backlash over those selected to take penalties, as two centre-backs were among the four chosen. Leicester City's Souttar is their captain and perhaps felt confident enough to step up and get his side off the mark.
Souttar failed, as did Herrington, with the deciding spot-kick with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Selecting the Colorado Rapids defender hasn't gone down well given he's only 18.
The others to take penalties included St Pauli midfielder Jackson Irvine and Kenyan-born winger Awer Mabil. They tucked their spot-kicks away, but one has to wonder why other attackers weren't prioritised over Souttar and Herrington.
England Players Celebrate vs Panama Related
How England Players Feel About Expected World Cup Kick-Off Time Change vs Mexico
Local media are claiming the Round of 16 tie between England and Mexico has already been brought forward by six hours.