The oldest player ever at the World Cup saved a penalty for Egypt

Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

• The starting goalkeeper for Egypt's last match of the World Cup is, at 45-years-old, the oldest player in World Cup history. 

• And he even saved a penalty during the match. 

• The previous record holder was also a goalkeeper, for Colombia. 

Egypt is set to exit this World Cup after the conclusion of the group stage, but at least the team's goalkeeper, Essam El-Hadary, got to set a record for his appearances at this summer's tournament. 

The 45-year-old El-Hadary became the oldest player in World Cup history when he started between the posts during Egypt's final match against Saudi Arabia, breaking a record previously set by Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón at 43-years-old. Mohamed El-Shenawy started Egypt's previous two matches. 

El-Hadary even got a highlight to go with his record-breaking performance, when he saved a penalty, an impressive feat for a goalkeeper of any age, in the first half of the match for Egypt. 

Tweet Embed:
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Age is nothing but a number!

El Hadary comes up big to deny Saudi Arabia the equalizer from the spot. pic.twitter.com/ui47lgZ3pH

Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia was awarded another penalty kick later in the half and was able to convert, tying up the match. 

It is not a coincidence that the two oldest players in World Cup history are both goalkeepers, a position where the age range tends to skew older than most other soccer players. 

The oldest outfield player in World Cup history is Cameroonian forward Roger Milla, who also became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history twice over, scoring goals at ages 38 and 42 in consecutive World Cups. 

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