Followers have been accused of taking issues too far with a sinister act proper earlier than a star’s terrible miss that price Egypt a spot on the World Cup.
Liverpool star Sadio Mane transformed a penalty on Wednesday morning to take African champions Senegal to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on the expense of Egypt.
Ghana, Morocco and Tunisia additionally booked their locations within the finals on a frantic evening of playoff motion.
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Senegal gained the second leg of the African playoff 1-0 in Diamniadio because of a fourth-minute aim from Boulaye Dia and the groups completed stage at 1-1 on mixture after additional time.
As was the case within the Africa Cup of Nations closing final month, Mane was entrusted with taking the essential fifth Senegal kick and as soon as once more he made no mistake to present his aspect a 3-1 shootout victory.
Among the many three Egyptians who failed to attain within the shootout was Sane’s Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, who uncharacteristically blazed his kick over the crossbar.
However Salah had cause to be filthy with followers who pointed lasers at him as he ready to take his spot-kick.
The Egypt captain was escorted down the tunnel by safety as some spectators hurled projectiles together with bottles in the direction of him after the match ended.
Former American star turned TV analyst Stu Holden tweeted a clip of the lasers getting used, writing: “That is insane! Mo Salah taking a penalty for Egypt with the World Cup on the road and there are 3000 laser pointers in his eyes. Take a guess at what occurs subsequent …”
Soccer journalist Grant Wahl wrote: “Senegal have been a tremendous feel-good story … till this.”
Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy additionally needed to cope with laser pointers between the sticks.
Solely 4 of the 9 penalty takers have been profitable with captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Saliou Ciss lacking for Senegal and Salah, ‘Zizo’ and Mostafa Mohamed lacking for Egypt.
As Senegal celebrated a second straight qualification for the World Cup, Egypt have been left to lament one other dramatic loss to Senegal this 12 months.
There have been no targets within the Cup of Nations closing that went to additional time in Yaounde final month, resulting in a shootout which Senegal gained 4-2 with Mane changing the fifth penalty for his aspect.
The drama in Diamniadio got here quickly after Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey scored the aim that took Ghana to the World Cup as they compelled a 1-1 attract Nigeria to win the playoff on away targets.
Partey struck after 10 minutes in Abuja and though one other Premier League star, William Troost-Ekong, levelled from a Twenty second-minute penalty, Nigeria failed to attain once more. The primary leg ended goalless.
The Black Stars of Ghana are again within the World Cup finals after qualifying in 2006, 2010 and 2014, however lacking out 4 years in the past.
The defeat was a large blow for favourites Nigeria, who have been chasing a seventh look in eight makes an attempt since debuting on the 1994 World Cup.
Azzedine Ounahi scored twice as Morocco trounced the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 in Casablanca to succeed in the finals for a sixth time.
Tarik Tissoudali and Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi additionally netted for the Atlas Lions, who certified 5-2 on mixture after the primary leg completed 1-1 in Kinshasa.
The outclassed Congolese Leopards trailed by 4 targets earlier than Ben Malango snatched a comfort aim 13 minutes from time.
Tunisia secured their place in Qatar regardless of being held 0-0 at dwelling by Mali within the second leg of a playoff.
A pre-match warning by Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri to his group that the return match could be even more durable than the primary leg in Bamako final Friday proved spot on.
Having constructed a 1-0 lead in Mali by a Moussa Sissako own-goal, Tunisia have been unable to construct on their mixture benefit and solely scraped by.
With AFP
Initially printed as ‘That is insane’: Followers level lasers at star who misses penalty, prices group World Cup berth