Australia vs Egypt — Prediction

This is the round's closest call, and the swing factor is Mohamed Salah's fitness: Egypt's talisman limped off against Iran with a hamstring strain and is a genuine doubt, so we are deliberately not building this pick on him. Even discounting Salah, Egypt carry the higher attacking ceiling — Omar Marmoush leads a front line that scored five in the group and beat New Zealand 3-1 — against an Australia that managed just two goals across three games and leans on a disciplined low block marshalled by the returning Harry Souttar. That organisation is exactly why this is a coin flip rather than a clear lean: the Socceroos are hard to break down, Nestory Irankunda's pace gives them a real counter, and the climate-controlled AT&T Stadium roof removes heat as a leveller. We narrowly favour Egypt's quality to settle a cagey, low-scoring game, but if Salah sits and the breakthrough never comes, a draw and extra time — even penalties — is firmly in play. Confidence stays at genuine toss-up level.