Mohamed Salah scores penalty for Egypt in World Cup qualifier
Egypt have not appeared at a World Cup since 1990 but Salah’s 95th minute penalty against Congo sparked wild scenes of celebration at the final whistle as they booked a spot at Russia.
The Liverpool winger had given his country the lead on the hour mark with a well-taken finish but Congo almost spoiled the party when Arnold Bouka equalised two minutes from time.
But when Mahmoud Hassan was brought down in the box with just seconds left in the match, Salah stepped up with the weight of a nation on his shoulders and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to clinch their place in Russia.
In the aftermath Salah has since had a school from his hometown of Basyoun renamed in his honour.
I can’t really express how I feel, I don’t quite talk so much but I’m really proud
Mohamed Salah
And when asked to describe how he felt after making history for his country, the 25-year-old struggled for words.
“I can’t really express how I feel, I don’t quite talk so much but I’m really proud. Today we realised a long-awaited dream,” Salah told Ahram newspaper.
“That was to me a dream come true, whether as a footballer or an Egyptian citizen and fan. I’m proud I made the Egyptians happy today by scoring today twice against Congo.
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Mohamed Salah sent Egypt through to next year's World Cup
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His stoppage time penalty sparked wild scenes after the match
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“The game was a difficult one tonight and all the qualifiers were difficult games as well, today there is no big difference between every team and the other.
“When I stepped up to take the penalty, I didn’t think of anything but scoring and winning the game.
“The most difficult moment in my life was when the fans fell silent following Congo’s equaliser but thank God we finally realised a childhood dream of my own.”
