Hit-and-run mars historic World Cup night as Edgware Road erupts into scenes of disorder.A driver failed to stop after their car struck a pedestrian on Edgware Road in London on Friday night, during scenes of mass celebration following Egypt’s historic World Cup victory over Australia.
Footage from the scene showed a grey 4×4 driving through a crowd of fans, many wearing Egypt shirts, before colliding with a man carrying a backpack as he crossed the road. He was left sitting motionless in the street. Rather than stopping, the car continued on its way, prompting bystanders to run to the injured man’s aid while others gave chase after the driver.
The incident took place against a backdrop of wider disorder that gripped Edgware Road as celebrations intensified through the evening. Long nicknamed “Little Cairo” owing to its concentration of Middle Eastern and Arab cafes and shisha bars, the street became the focal point for supporters after Egypt beat Australia 4-2 on penalties at Dallas Stadium, following a match that kicked off at 6pm BST. The win secured Egypt’s first World Cup knockout victory since 1934.
As word of the result spread, hundreds of fans poured onto the road, bringing traffic to a standstill. Cars and buses were left stranded as crowds moved between them, with some supporters climbing onto vehicles altogether — footage showed a group scaling the roof of a double-decker bus, from where they waved Egyptian flags to cheers from below.
The atmosphere later turned tense in places, with video showing police officers wrestling with shirtless fans as crowds surrounded the confrontations, screaming, before other revellers pulled the men away from officers. Chants of “Free Palestine” could also be heard amid the noise of music and celebration along the street.
The disorder in London stood in contrast to jubilant scenes on the pitch in Texas, where Egypt captain Mohamed Salah — known to fans as the “Egyptian King” — was pictured in tears after the final whistle. Egypt’s win means two African nations have now won knockout matches at the same World Cup for the first time, following Morocco’s earlier victory.
Australia’s exit marks a third straight World Cup knockout defeat for the Socceroos. Egypt will next face either Argentina or Cape Verde in the last 16, in Atlanta on Tuesday, 7 July, kicking off at 5pm BST.
