KEY POINTS

  • Mo Salah missed his penalty in WC Qualifier against Senegal
  • Sadio Mane scored the winning penalty for his country
  • Senegal beat Egypt on penalties in AFCON final last month

Sadio Mane scored the winning penalty in a shootout Tuesday to send Senegal to the 2022 Qatar World Cup after Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah missed his spot-kick for Egypt.

Heading into the third round second leg of FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers, only the winner of the Egypt vs Senegal match would seal a place in Qatar. That means, one of the Anfield pair --arguably Africa’s two best players -- was going to miss out on the global event.

Ultimately, it was Salah who did not make it to Qatar after Egypt’s penalty shootout loss to home side Senegal. In what was a repeat of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, Senegal once again triumphed over rivals Egypt for a major prize.

In February, two Egyptians missed their spot-kicks in the AFCON final, which meant their goalscoring icon Salah did not even get a chance to take one. This time around, in the vital, do-or-die World Cup qualifier fixture, Salah went first.

However, the Egyptian King did worse as his shot went nowhere close to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. A vast number of green laser pointers were directed by the home fans at the visiting players and Salah was the first victim.

Senegal’s goal in the normal time meant the scoreline was levelled at 1-1 on aggregate, sending the game to a tense and dramatic shootout.

In the shootout, both teams missed their first two kicks. Kalidou Koulibaly struck the crossbar for Senegal before another defender Saliou Ciss saw his effort saved. On the other end, Egypt’s Salah fired his effort over the bar while Ahmed Mostafa ‘Zizo’ struck wide.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah with Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah with Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

Another Premier League talent, Ismaila Sarr stepped up at the crucial juncture as he netted for Senegal. From the other end, Egypt’s Ahmed El Solia also responded positively to his country. The home side received a massive boost when Mendy saved Mostafa Mohamed’s attempt.

It was Mane’s chance to once again become a national hero. Mane, who had netted the winning penalty for Senegal in the AFCON final, made no mistake on Tuesday. The Liverpool No. 10 netted one with ease in the middle before the entire Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade broke into sparkling celebrations.

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