World Cup's oldest player saves penalty

Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary saves a penalty during their 2018 World Cup Group A match against Saudi Arabia on June 25, 2018 in Volgograd. PHOTO | GETTY IMAGES |

What you need to know:

  • El Hadary marked his landmark occasion in sensational fashion, tipping Fahad Al Muwallad's 41st-minute penalty onto the woodwork to retain Egypt's 1-0 advantage, earned through Mohamed Salah's second goal of the tournament.
  • He is the second keeper to save a penalty on his World Cup debut in Russia - Iceland's Hannes Thor Halldorsson having denied Lionel Messi from 12 yards - and only the fourth in finals history.

Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary brilliantly saved a penalty on the day he became the oldest player in World Cup history.

El Hadary, 45 years and 161 days old, started the Group A dead rubber against Saudi Arabia in Volgograd on Monday, having sat on the bench for defeats to Uruguay and Russia.

The Pharaohs veteran beat the record set by Faryd Mondragon, who appeared for Colombia at Brazil 2014 three days after his 43rd birthday.

El Hadary marked his landmark occasion in sensational fashion, tipping Fahad Al Muwallad's 41st-minute penalty onto the woodwork to retain Egypt's 1-0 advantage, earned through Mohamed Salah's second goal of the tournament.

He is the second keeper to save a penalty on his World Cup debut in Russia - Iceland's Hannes Thor Halldorsson having denied Lionel Messi from 12 yards - and only the fourth in finals history.

4 - Essam El Hadary has become the 4th goalkeeper to save a penalty on his World Cup debut since 1966:

El Hadary v Saudi Arabia in 2018

Halldorsson v Argentina in 2018

Meola v Czechoslovakia in 1990

Quiroga v Scotland in 1978

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 25, 2018

However, El Hadary was unable to stop Salman Al Faraj equalising with Saudi Arabia's second spot-kick deep in first-half stoppage time, awarded after referee Wilmar Roldan checked with VAR.

50:36 - Salman Al Faraj's penalty for Saudi Arabia is the latest recorded goal in the first half of a World Cup game since 1966 (50:36).