Senegal’s National team has qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after beating Egypt’s national team 3-1 on penalties in Dakar, Senegal.
The thrilling encounter which took place at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade in the capital city of Senegal ended 1-0 in regular time. Senegal and Egypt had to play 30 minutes of extra time before they were forced to decide the winner via penalties.
Recall that the first leg of the encounter which took place in Cairo, Egypt ended 1-0 in favor of the hosts on March 25, 2022. An own goal from Senegal’s Saliou Ciss in the 4th minute was enough to give Egypt the victory ahead of the second leg of the tie.
The Egyptian players flew to Dakar with the hope that they could capitalize on the home win to scale through to Qatar. But they met a more determined Senegalese side that was not ready to lose the ticket.
Coincidentally, the second leg of the tie started like the first leg of the tie but this time around, it was the other way round. Egypt’s Hamdi Fathi scored an own goal in the 4th minute to give Senegal the lead.
The unfortunate goal gave the hosts the motivation to push for more because they were aware that a 1-0 lead was not enough to qualify them for the forthcoming tournament.
Senegal’s drive to score more goals only succeeded in earning the country 25 shots, 9 of which were on target. While Egypt succeeded in recording 5 shots, one of which was on target.
In 90 minutes, Senegal recorded 59 percent of the ball possession. While the visitors recorded 41 percent of the ball possession. The hosts made 432 passes with 73 percent pass accuracy. While the visitors made 312 passes with 61 percent pass accuracy.
Despite all these stats, the two sides could not score more goals. Even Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah could not do his magic to help Egypt scale through the hosts.
At the end of regular time and extra time, the two sides tried to knock each other out via spot-kicks. Out of five kicks, Egypt managed to score just once. Even Mohamed Salah missed his spot-kick.
On the other hand, Sadio Mane of Liverpool inspired his Senegalese teammates well enough to score three of their five spot-kicks which was enough to qualify the African champions for the 20222 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
SADIO MANE SENDS SENEGAL TO THE WORLD CUP!!!
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 29, 2022
INCREDIBLE SCENES! 🇸🇳🙌 pic.twitter.com/g2ycfzsIhd
At the end of the 2-legged FIFA World Cup play-off, Senegal knock-out Egypt 1-1 on aggregate and 3-1 on penalties.
This is the second time in two months that Senegal defeated Egypt via penalties. Recall that Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in their history in February 2022 after beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties.
Sadio Mane and Senegal qualify for the #WorldCup after a shootout win over Egypt.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 29, 2022
Congratulations Sadio and commiserations, Mo. We can’t wait to have you both back ♥ pic.twitter.com/kyBBNi7g2e
