'May God have mercy on their martyrs': Egypt's soccer coach celebrates win with Palestinian flag

Egypt's soccer coach Hossam Hassan dedicated his team's historic advancement to the FIFA World Cup 16th round to the Palestinian people following their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Australia. Egypt secured their first-ever knockout stage win, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes.

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My heart and soul are with them. May God have mercy on their martyrs. I dedicate this victory to the Egyptian people and to the Palestinian people, the good and noble people.

"My heart and soul are with them," Hassan said after the match. "May God have mercy on their martyrs. I dedicate this victory to the Egyptian people and to the Palestinian people, the good and noble people." He appeared emotional as he raised the Palestinian flag, turning the significant sporting achievement into a moment of solidarity.

Videos circulating on social media showed fans in the Gaza Strip celebrating the victory amidst the ruins of destroyed buildings and in tent camps. Some fans waved Egyptian flags, while children had their faces painted with the Egyptian flag's colors, highlighting the widespread resonance of the win across the Arab world.

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He beats us at halftime.

Team captain Mohamed Salah also reflected on the historic achievement, describing it as "the game of our lives." He expressed happiness in making history with the team and discussed his role in fostering a comfortable atmosphere for his teammates. Salah also humorously commented on Hassan's coaching style, noting, "He beats us at halftime."

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I know my value, and the national team sees how others treat me. I try to help the players and create a comfortable atmosphere for them, and that is what matters. This is a historic moment. I told the guys this was the game of our lives and that we had to enjoy every moment. I am so happy we made history with this team