Sadio Mane once again defeated Mohammed Salah to send Senegal into the World Cup after a laser-filled penalty shootout.
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Sadio Mane netted a screamer as Senegal beat Egypt 3-1 on penalties, to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday evening. Mo Salah and Co. came into this tie after securing a 1-0 lead from the first leg. However, the scoreline was squared at the 4th minute when Hamdi Fathi’s own goal gave Senegal an early second-leg lead. Nevertheless, the hosts left no stone unturned. They had more possession than the visitors at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium but were not able to find the back of the net, and had to settle for the 1-0 advantage during the first half.
During the second half, Egypt substitute Zizo had few chances to give the team an upper hand. But those opportunities were squandered and the match was slowly pushed into extra time. Senegal too tried to cut close but wasted the half chance as Ismaila Sarr’s shot missed wide of the far post. His efforts were then cancelled by the Egyptian keeper, Mohamed El-Shenawy. As the play was set in motion in the extra time, a few missed chances made the Senegal fans concerned. However, their dominant display continued well in the extra time. But their goalscoring efforts turned out to be a little less impressive, as the game further crept towards the penalty shootout.
The first four penalties went in absolute vain. Koulibaly at first hit the bar before Salah attempted a strike, amid being teased by laser on his face. Ciss’s penalty was saved before Zizo rolled out wide upright.
Ismaila Sarr finally managed to put Senegal in action. Bamba Dieng then made it 2-1 before Edouard Mendy made a class save from Mostafa Mohamed. Mane then hit the spot and booked a place for the team in the World Cup for the third time.
Sadio Mane once again beat his Liverpool teammate Mohammed Salah. The Egyptian side suffered a heartbreak as they failed to secure a spot in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Both teams evenly faced each other in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final, where Senegal won 4-2 in an equally dramatic shootout.
