Egypt goalkeeper El-Hadary becomes World Cup's oldest-ever player
The stopper is 45 years old... and he even saved a penalty against Saudi Arabia!
There was little to play for in Monday's game between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with both sides already eliminated from the World Cup before kickoff, but the match will go down in history.
That's because Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary became the oldes player to play in a World Cup at the age of 45. He takes the record from Colombia's Faryd Mondragón, who was 43 in Brazil four years ago.
El-Hadary had been an unused substitute in the first two games, against Uruguay and Russia, but coach Hector Cuper took the chance to give him a start and enter the Guinness Book of World Records following his side's elimination.
Stopper El-Hadary was born in Damietta on January 15, 1973, and currently plays his football in Saudi Arabia for the side Al-Taawoun -- he made 22 appearances last season and even scored a goal, a penalty.
He didn't get on the scoresheet as Egypt were beaten 2-1 by Saudi Arabia but he did save a penalty in the first half with his country 1-0 up.
However, Saudi Arabia were awarded another penalty four minutes later, which they scored, and they then clinched the win in second half stoppage time.
Egypt's appearance in this summer's World Cup was their first at a finals since 1990, when El-Hadary was still just a promising goalkeeper.
He didn't make his debut for Egypt until 1996 but since then he has gone on to earn over 150 caps for his country.
