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It’s not too uncommon to see goalkeepers play at the highest level well into their 30s. But 45? That’s pretty amazing.
On Monday, Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary was handed the start, and in taking the field became the oldest player in World Cup history. He got a chance to show how good he is in the first half against Saudi Arabia too, and saved a penalty to keep his team in the lead.
Essam El-Hadary makes a fantastic save for #EGY! #KSAEGY pic.twitter.com/t3iLTdNWzS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 25, 2018
El-Hadary was an Egypt icon well before setting this record. He has 155 caps for his country, has won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, and was named the best goalkeeper at the tournament on three of those occasions. But despite playing for Egypt since 1996, he’d never made it to the World Cup until now.
What a way to cap a legendary career.