The Socceroos' World Cup round-of-32 clash with Egypt will go down to penalties after the teams were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Australia's hopes of a maiden knockout win at the World Cup took a hammer blow when Egypt's Emam Ashour scored in the 13th minute in front of 70,244 fans at Dallas Stadium.
Things went from bad to worse when star wing-back Jordan Bos was forced out of the game just before halftime after suffering an apparent left knee injury when he was clattered late by Rami Rabia.
But the Socceroos responded when Aiden O'Neill's wicked free kick forced Mohamed Hany to head the ball into his own net in the 55th minute.
Patrick Beach pulled off an extraordinary diving save to deny a glancing header from Rabia in stoppage time and send the game to extra time, when Mohamed Salah blasted over the bar and Australia had a late scramble.
Then coach Tony Popovic brought on captain Maty Ryan to replace Beach for the Socceroos' first shootout at the World Cup - with the winner to take on either Argentina or Cape Verde.