Senegal Beat Egypt in Thrilling Penalty Shootout, Lions of Teranga Book Their Spot at World Cup 2022 in Qatar

World Cup fever gripped the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Senegal as the Lions of Teranga hosted Egypt in the second leg of their World Cup qualifier.

A raucous crowd made sure that the visitors knew they were playing away from home as the Egyptian anthem was drowned out by the Senegalese crowd. Every Egyptian foul or player going down was also met with boos and jeers from the home crowd.

The passionate supporter base inspired the hosts to an early lead as Boulaye Dia poked the ball home from close range. Dia’s goal came in the fourth minute, ironically the same time that Egypt took the lead in the first leg encounter.

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Inspired by their home ground advantage, Senegal continued to push forward and looked more likely to score the game’s second goal. The Senegalese supporters didn’t only cheer their team on, they also shone lasers in the faces of Egyptian players and harassed Mohammed El Shenawy in the Egyptian goal by throwing water bottles at him.

The tactics seemed to work as Egypt were on the back foot for much of the first half. They also seemed to have terrible luck as four different players had to be stretchered off during the first half, two of them not returning to the field due to injuries.

The second half was a bit of a different affair as Egypt showed more promise. The visitors had more possession of the ball and looked to be more comfortable with ball of feet. Their finishing let them down though. Zizo had two golden chances to put the Egyptians ahead but wasted both, while at the other end, Ismaïla Sarr missed the best chance of the game when he sent his chip shot narrowly wide.

As time ticked on, tensions began as rise and little arguments broke out among opposing players. The referee had his hands full keeping tempers in check as 90 minutes elapsed with the game still level on aggregate.

The first half of extra time saw Senegal resume on the front foot. Pape Abou Cissé had three chances all saved by El Shenawy and Ismaïla Sarr had half of an empty net to aim for, but somehow put the ball straight into the midriff of a diving El Shenawy. The second half of extra time was a more subdued affair as both teams seemed to have run out of steam.

After 120 minutes of play, the game headed to penalties once again, much like the AFCON final. It was a nervous start in the shootout as Senegal and Egypt failed to convert their first two penalties.

The penalty shootout resembled a rave as the Egyptian penalty takers and their keeper were subjected to laser pointers shining directly in their faces.

The first penalty to be scored was the fifth taken as Senegal finally took the lead. It was a lead that they would not relinquish as they went on to win the game 3-1 on penalties. Sadio Mane scored the decisive penalty to see his team qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

World Cup Qualifier: Egypt hold slight lead over Senegal, Lions of Teranga look to beat the Pharaohs at home

Earlier Sports Brief reported that Senegal host Egypt today in the second leg of their crunch World Cup qualifier. The visitors hold a one-goal advantage, but there is still everything to play for as both teams look to book their place at Qatar 2022.

The win at home gave Egypt some measure of revenge for their loss in the AFCON final, but Mohamed Salah and company will be looking to go one further and finish the job this evening in Senegal.

The first leg’s 1-0 result is by no means a surprise, neither was the goalless 120 minutes in the final, Goal.com reported. The two sides have played each other nine times this century, and in eight of those games, neither side has scored more than two goals.