Fans celebrating Egypt’s historic World Cup victory brought chaos to the streets of London as they clashed with police, climbed on to a double decker bus and brought traffic to a standstill.
Edgware Road descended into anarchy on Friday night as hundreds of supporters swarmed the street to celebrate Egypt’s dramatic penalty shootout win over Australia.
But as celebrations intensified, the packed road in north-west London spiralled into disorder and police were called to the scene at 9.57pm.
Dramatic footage from the scene captured police officers wrestling with shirtless fans as crowds spilled across the road, bringing traffic to a complete standstill, as the chant ‘Free Palestine’ echoed down the street.
In one tense confrontation, two officers grapple with a fan as screaming supporters surround the struggle before other revellers drag him away.
As music blared out in the background, fans weaved between marooned vehicles, which included a line of buses, while some chose to clamber on top of them.
Further along the road, topless fans who had scaled the roof of a double decker bus waved Egyptian flags while shouting down to the cheering and whistling crowd below.
Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man was rushed to hospital after a hit-and-run on the street, after the car battled its way through the crowd.
Dramatic footage from the scene captured police officers wrestling with shirtless fans as crowds spilled across the road
Topless fans who had scaled the roof of a double decker bus waved Egyptian flags while shouting down to the cheering and whistling crowd below
As music blared out in the background, fans weaved between marooned vehicles, which included a line of buses, while some chose to clamber on top of them
Edgware Road, long known as ‘Little Cairo’, is renowned for its links to Egypt, with numerous Middle Eastern and Arab cafes and shisha bars lining the street – many of which would have screened the game.
The celebrations erupted after Egypt secured their first ever World Cup knockout victory since 1934, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties at Dallas Stadium following the 6pm BST kick-off.
Elsewhere on Edgware Road, footage captured the moment a grey 4×4 car drove through a section of the crowd, where many were still celebrating while wearing Egypt football team shirts.
The car battled its way through the packed street, as supporters obstructed it by jumping on to its bonnet.
One fan, who had jumped on to the car, proceeded to punch the window after he fell off it.
Seconds later, the car collided with a man wearing a backpack as he crossed the road, leaving him sitting motionless in the middle of the road. Undeterred, the car continued to drive down the road.
Bystanders sprinted down the road to help the injured victim, lifting him to his feet, while others ran after the fleeing driver in an attempt to catch the driver.
The 41-year-old victim was rushed to hospital by emergency services, where he was treated for a suspected broken arm.
No arrests were made at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said.
Footage captured the moment a grey 4×4 car drove through a section of the crowd, where many were still celebrating while wearing Egypt football team shirts
Seconds later, the car collides with a man wearing a backpack as he crossed the road, leaving him sitting motionless in the middle of the road
Bystanders sprinted down the road to help the injured victim, lifting him to his feet, while others ran after the fleeing driver in an attempt to catch the driver
Meanwhile in America, national treasure and captain Mohammad Salah, named the ‘Egyptian King’, was in tears after Egypt made history.
It joins Morocco in the last 16, which also made it the first time two African nations had won a knockout match at a single World Cup.
For Australia, the outcome marked a third defeat in as many World Cup knockout matches.
With the Socceroos heading home, Egypt will have a last 16 tie with either Argentina or Cape Verde in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 7 at 5pm BST.
A spokesman for the Met said: ‘Police were called at 21:57hrs on Friday, 3 July to reports of disorder on Edgware Road.
‘Officers attended the scene where around 1,000 people were gathered in the road.
‘A 41-year-old man who was involved in a collision with a car was taken to hospital for treatment of a suspected broken arm.
‘The group was safely dispersed and no arrests were made at the scene.
‘Enquiries are ongoing including examining CCTV to identify any offences.
‘Please call 101 with the reference 8981/03JUL if you were a witness.’
