World Cup qualifiers – Senegal vs Egypt
Final round – 2nd leg
We all expected Egypt to defend the one-goal lead with all their might and Senegal to chase for the equaliser. However, the hosts managed to get on the score sheet in the 4th minute thanks to Fathi’s own goal.
The remainder of the contest was also almost the replay of the AFCON finals. Senegal created plenty of chances but was not able to breach the Egyptian defence.
While the visitors were not able to produce anything convincingly on the counter. Thus the tie remained 1-1 after extra time.
The penalty shootout witnessed Salah missing Egypt’s first penalty and eventually Mane scoring the winning one. Senegal qualified for the WC after a 3-1 win on penalties.
World Cup qualifiers – Senegal vs Egypt: Match report
Senegal lineup (4-3-3): Mendy (GK) – B. Sarr, Koulibaly, Cisse, Ciss – Mendy 81’, I. Gueye 114’ — Sabaly, Mané, I. Sarr 68’ – Dia 81’.
Senegal subs (12): Balde, Ballo-Toure, Diallo, Diedhiou, Dieng 68’, Faty, P. Gueye 81’, Kamara, Kouyate 81’, Loum, Name, P. Sarr 114’.
Scorer: Fathi 4’ (OG).
Egypt lineup (4-3-3): El Shenawy (GK) – Gaber 29’, Rabia 36’, Ibrahim, El Fotouh – Fathi 118’, Elneny 70’., El Solia – Salah, Marmoush 70’, Trezeguet 70’.
Egypt subs (12): Afsha, Alaa 118’, Ashour 36’, Ashraf 29’, Dunga 70’, Gabaski, Hamdi, Kamal, Mossad, Mostafa Mohamed 70’, Sohbi, Zizo 70’.
World Cup qualifiers – Senegal vs Egypt: Managers’ reaction
Senegal coach, Aliou Cissé: “It was important to go through. When you win a trophy, the games that follow are very important. If we didn’t go through [to the World Cup], for sure it was going to be something else. Now we let’s give thanks to God. I believe that we will be even better and stronger. Going to Qatar means having ambitions
“We had some in 2018 but we were eliminated by the number of cards. This time, Senegal will be there by being first on the continent for almost 4 or 5 years. Senegal is also going there by being African Champion and playing a very difficult double confrontation where many thought we were not going to pass. This match can be favourable for us in Qatar “.
Egypt coach, Carlos Queiroz: “It’s time for me to leave the leadership of Egypt to someone else.
“Today my dream was to get Egypt for the fifth time to me to the World Cup, but it was Cissé who qualified with Senegal.
“The game is over. We, unfortunately, failed to reach the World Cup. It’s all over and there’s not a lot of things to say.
“Just some nice words for the players and I congratulate them on the game they played and I also congratulate Senegal after playing a big game. We should not forget that Senegal will represent Africa in the World Cup and we wish them good luck.
“We got to the penalty shootout and I think the Senegalese fans suffered a little bit during the game.
“You saw for yourself that we conceded an early goal in the opening five minutes. We started the game out of focus and at a high temperature, we don’t say these are reasons for the defeat, but they are contributing factors.“Egypt will start preparing for the upcoming tournaments as well as the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
“I have no objection to admitting it ( about losing twice to Senegal), I wanted to meet Cissé again to beat him.
“But maybe if I had worked like him for seven years with Egypt as he continued with Senegal, I would have won it.”
