Egyptian goalkeeper, Essam El-Hadary on Monday became the oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup after the 45-year-old manned the post for his country in their final Group A fixture against Saudi Arabia in Volgograd.

By featuring in the encounter which they lost 1-2 courtesy of an injury time goal by Salem Al Dawsari, El-Hadary smashed the record set by Colombia goalkeeper, Faryd Mondragon, who was aged 43 years and three days when he played against Japan in Brazil 2014.

Nicknamed ‘High Dam’ by Egyptians, El-Hadary made his international debut for Egypt in 1996 – a year before his Egyptian squad mate, Ramadan Sobhy was born.

With both teams having only pride to play for having been eliminated from the Group with hosts, Russia and Uruguay already guaranteed second round berths, El-Hadary pulled off a string of excellent saves but unable to make Egypt bow out of the tournament with at least a point.