Imagine this…
Your country has waited a long time to play at a World Cup finals – 27 years, to be precise. However, qualification is finally within reach. One penalty kick, deep into stoppage time, separates your football-obsessed nation with a place in next summer’s tournament…
This was the exact scenario faced by Liverpool’s Mo Salah on Sunday. Not even born when Egypt appeared at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the winger had given his country the lead against Congo in Alexandria only for the visitors to equalise late on.
Egypt, who were presented with the chance to qualify after Ghana’s draw with Uganda on Saturday, were then awarded a spot kick in added-on time.
Salah stepped up and steered the ball into the right hand side of the goal, the goalkeeper diving the opposite way. As you’ll see from the footage below, the goal sparked wild celebrations from the majority of those in attendance.
Take a look…
https://twitter.com/azpifc/status/917104266694848512
Egypt’s win means they are the second African team to qualify for Russia’s World Cup. Nigeria became the first on Saturday following their victory over Zambia on Saturday.
Salah will now return to his club in time for their much anticipated game against Manchester United at Anfield.
