Superstar Salah missed on the first try for Egypt, but Mané’s goal on the fifth attempt sealed the deal and ensured his home country’s acclaimed third place in the finals.
Laser pointer as a nuisance
The large number of laser pointers in the stadium caused great astonishment among spectators worldwide. It was aimed at the Egyptian players and the goalkeeper, especially in the penalty shoot-out.
Also Ghana in Qatar
Ghana has qualified for a World Cup for the fourth time. A 1-1 draw against favored Nigeria was enough for the four-time African champions. The first leg ended 0-0.
Thomas Partey (10th) gave the Ghanaians an early lead, while William Troost-Ekong (22nd) equalized. He just didn’t help Nigeria, the away goals rule was crucial.
Morocco without problems against DR Congo
The course of the game was much clearer in the second leg between Morocco and DR Congo. Azzedine Ounahi (21′, 54′), Tarik Tissoudali (45′) and Achraf Hakimi (69′) scored to make it 4-1 for Moroccans, who made things clear this time after the first-leg draw.
Ben Malango (77th) was no longer successful as a cosmetic result.
No goals – and yet Tunisia is going to the World Cup
A 0-0 reunion against Mali after a 1-0 first-leg win was enough for the Tunisians to qualify for Qatar. Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri from 1. FC Köln came on after 67 minutes.
Pure drama: Cameroon grabs the last ticket
Algeria had narrowly won the first leg, but because only Cameroon’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (22′) scored in the second leg in regular time, the second duel went into extra time within a few days – the away goals rule also came into play here.
Islam Slimani headed in for Algeria in extra time but the celebrations lasted only a few minutes. The VAR got in touch and referee Bakary Papa Gassama decided after consultation on handball when the goal was scored. He didn’t give the gate.
It looked like penalties when Algeria scored again – and this time the celebrations knew no bounds. After a corner, Ahmed Touba had a lot of space, he used it for a header (118th). However, it should not remain the last excitement.
Because the last World Cup ticket from Africa, it didn’t go to Algeria, it went to Cameroon. Karl Toko Ekambi’s direct acceptance in the fourth minute of added time ensured that Cameroon went to the World Cup for the eighth time with the 2-1 (1-0, 1-0).
Source: dpa/sid