World Cup's oldest player El Hadary saves penalty for Egypt
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
Clutch.#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YDcoqbvOnf
— 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). Gasp. #KSAEGY #KSA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/m0K6xWqldp— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 25, 2018