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Australia and Egypt finished regulation time level at 1-1 in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match in Dallas, leaving the knockout tie finely balanced after both sides found the net in a tense contest.
Egypt took the lead in the 13th minute through Emam Ashour, who headed in after a delivery from Karim Hafez.
Australia responded in the second half, equalizing in the 55th minute when Mohamed Hany turned the ball into his own net after a dangerous free-kick delivery from Aiden O'Neill.
The result left the last-32 tie level after 90 minutes, with the winner set to advance to face either Argentina or Cape Verde in the next round in Miami.
Egypt started with Mohamed Salah in the lineup after the forward recovered from a hamstring strain.
Salah led Egypt's attack alongside Emam Ashour and Omar Marmoush, while Mostafa Shobeir started in goal behind Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Rami Rabia and Karim Hafez.
The early breakthrough came when Ashour headed Egypt in front in the 13th minute, giving Hossam Hassan's side control of the opening stages.
Australia, however, grew into the match after the break and found the equalizer 10 minutes into the second half.
O'Neill's free-kick delivery created pressure inside the Egypt area, where Hany's own goal brought the score to 1-1.
Australia came into the match seeking its first World Cup knockout-stage victory.
Coach Tony Popovic had said before the game that his side was prepared for Egypt whether Salah started or came off the bench.
Australia fielded an unchanged team from its previous match, with Patrick Beach, Alessandro Circati, Jordan Bos, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O'Neill, Aziz Behich, Nestory Irankunda, Harry Souttar, Cristian Volpato, Jackson Irvine and Lucas Herrington in the starting lineup.
The Socceroos were playing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the third time, after previous last-16 defeats to Italy in 2006 and Argentina in 2022.
Australia was without Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano because of injury.
Egypt entered the knockout match after finishing second in Group G behind Belgium.
Salah had contributed one goal and two assists in the group stage, taking his international tally to 68 goals.
Egypt advanced from the group stage for the first time in the modern era and arrived in Texas with strong support from fans.
The winner of the Australia-Egypt tie was set to move on to face either Argentina or Cape Verde in the next round.
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