Tuesday, March 29
•Senegal 1(3)-(1)1 Egypt
Egypt failed on their revenge against Senegal to miss out on a place at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The tie was a repeat of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Feb. 6 with Senegal beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties to be crowned winners.
Senegal, as it was in the AFCON in Cameroon, needed shootouts to overcome the Pharaohs at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium.
Sadio Mane scored the decisive penalty to send Senegal through to spark celebrations that will continue throughout the night in Dakar.
But Egypt will blame green laser pointers that were directed at Egypt players including their goalkeeper during shootouts.
Egypt came into the tie oozing with confidence having won the first leg 1-0 courtesy of an own goal from Saliou Ciss who connected on a Mohammed Salah delivery.
But the tie was evenly poised just three minutes into the return leg when Boulaye Dia bundled in after Egypt failed to defend a freekick.
And it remained 1-0 after 90 minutes and extra time to necessitate shootouts where Senegal won 3-1.
In dramatic shootouts, both sides missed their two opening penalties; Kalidou Koulibaly sent his effort to the crossbar, Salah shot over, Ciss saw his penalty saved by Shanawy, Zizo fired wide of the post.
Ismaïla Sarr converted before Amr Sulaya levelled, 1-1.
Bamba Dieng scored before his goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved Mostafa Mohamed’s penalty.
And Mane stepped up, held his nerves to send Senegal to Qatar.
Senegal will be appearing in the finals of the FIFA World Cup for a third time after 2018 and 2002. They reached the quarter finals where they were eliminated by Turkey in South Korea/Japan World Cup.
