- Sadio Mane scored the winning penalty for Senegal while Mo Salah missed for Egypt
- Edouard Mendy saved one penalty
- Tunisia also advance after a 0-0 draw with Mali
For the second time in as many months, Senegal edged out Egypt on penalties as the Lions of Teranga booked a slot into the World Cup, following a 3-1 post-match shoot-out win over the Pharaohs in Dakar on Tuesday.
Senegal had beaten the Egyptians on penalties to clinch their first ever Africa Cup of Nations title in Cameroon last month and when it came to a hunt for a ticket to the World Cup, the top two African teams were again separated on penalties following a 1-1 aggregate draw.
The home side had scored in the fourth minute through Boulaye Dia to draw the game 1-1 on aggregate, a score that remained to the final whistle and 30 extra minutes.
And just like fate would have it, it was Sadio Mane who shone brighter than his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah. Mane scored the winning kick in Dakar, just like he did in Cameroon. Salah missed his spotkick.
The game was marred with tens of laser lights being beamed on the Egyptian players’ faces, especially during the penalty shootout. Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy had to endure the lasers all game.
It was an opposite for Egypt as most teams which play them at home always face the lasers but this time, roles had changed.
It was a bizarre start to the shootout as both teams missed their first two kicks. Skipper Kalidou Koulibaly stepped up first for Senegal and saw his fierce kick come off the crossbar.
Salah stepped up to take advantage of the Napoli defender’s miss but with lasers painting his eyes green, he struck his kick over the bar.
Mo Salah with lasers all over his face
Saliou Ciss who scored an own goal in the first leg then went up for Senegal’s second and bizarrely saw his poorly taken kick saved by Elshenawy. But Egypt could not take advantage again as Zamalek’s Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Mostafa struck his effort wide.
But, the Senegalese started scoring when Ismaila Sarr stepped up for the third and Ahmed El Solia responded for Egypt. Bamba Dieng then stepped up to score the fourth and they were handed a massive boost when Edouard Mendy saved Mostafa Mohamed’s attempt.
It was now up to Mane to score the decider, and the Liverpool forward made no mistake.
In regulation time, Senegal had scored in the fourth minute, just about the same time Egypt scored in the first leg. Boulaye Dia made the most of a defensive lapse to score and level the tie on aggregate.
The 1-0 scoreline on the night would stay till the end of 90 minutes and additional 30, prompting the game to be decided on penalties.
Elsewhere, Tunisia completed the roster of five for African teams to Qatar despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Mali at home. The 1-0 victory they picked in Bamako last week proved to be vital, as the Carthage Eagles flew to their sixth World Cup appearance.
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