Sports Desk: Egypt's dream of reaching the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time ended in heartbreaking fashion, but the Pharaohs concluded their 2026 campaign with a series of historic achievements both on and off the pitch.The African side came within minutes of eliminating defending champions Argentina in the Round of 16 at Atlanta. Mohamed Salah's men held a commanding 2-0 lead until the 67th minute, only for Lionel Messi's side to stage a dramatic comeback with three late goals to secure a 3-2 victory.Despite the painful exit, Egypt's performances throughout the tournament marked one of the finest World Cup campaigns in the nation's football history.Egypt advanced to the knockout stage as Group runners-up after finishing ahead of Belgium, Iran and New Zealand. They then defeated Australia in the Round of 16 to register the country's first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match.Although their journey ended against Argentina, Egypt rewrote several national records during the tournament. They played five matches in a single World Cup for the first time and scored eight goals—both the highest totals for the country in any edition of the tournament.The Pharaohs produced a consistent campaign, recording two wins, two draws and just one defeat in five matches. Their only loss came against the reigning world champions, while their fearless displays against top opposition earned widespread praise from football fans and pundits alike.Egypt also celebrated a financial milestone. Under FIFA's revised prize-money structure, the team earned US$18.5 million (approximately Tk 226 crore), the highest World Cup prize money in the country's history.Although their quest for a historic quarter-final berth ended in disappointment, Egypt leave the 2026 World Cup with renewed belief, record-breaking achievements and a campaign that will be remembered as a landmark chapter in the nation's football history.