El Hadary becomes the oldest player in FIFA World Cup history
Breaks the record held by Colombia’s Faryd Mondragon set at Brazil 2014
Impresses against Saudi Arabia, spectacularly saving a penalty
For Essam El Hadary, the evening could not have been better. When the Egyptian goalkeeper entered the Volgograd Arena to face Saudi Arabia in the countries’ final game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, he made history as the oldest person ever to play at football's flagship event.
At 43 years and 161 days, El Hadary, who was born in the village of Kafr El Battikh in northern Egypt, broke the record set by Colombia keeper Faryd Mondragon when he participated at Brazil 2014 at the age of 43 years and 3 days as a substitute against Japan.
But El Hadary was not happy with just being part of the game: he showed his worth by diving to his right to save a thunderous penalty from Fahad Al Muwallad, turning it onto the bar. He also made a string of other saves between conceding two late goals, one in every half.