Egypt have had their fair share of near-misses and heartbreak when it comes to World Cup qualifying in recent years, so when Congo pegged them back after they’d taken a 1-0 lead, nerves on the pitch and off it would have been frayed.
But Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who had scored Egypt’s opener, coolly slotted home an injury-time penalty to send fans wild and end his nation’s long wait for a World Cup, with Egypt last appearing in the showpiece event in 1990.
Here’s the best of the reaction on Twitter.
QUALIFIED! 🙌
Congratulations, 🇪🇬Egypt! 👏
Welcome back to the #WorldCup finals and see you in 🇷🇺Russia! #WCQ pic.twitter.com/NMwoR6qMSg— #WCQ ⚽️🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) October 8, 2017
Two goals from @22mosalah – one a 95th-minute penalty – helped secure World Cup qualification for Egypt tonight!
➡️ https://t.co/kzniUZ1KCE pic.twitter.com/4jrr6nBCzZ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 8, 2017
That feeling when you help your country qualify for their first @FIFAWorldCup since 1990 🙌
Congratulations, @ElNennyM and Egypt 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/JiWv0jwcv3
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 8, 2017
Scenes as @Hegazi‘s Egypt 🇪🇬 win in the final minute to secure a place at the @FIFAWorldCup!
Congratulations, Ahmed 🎉#WBA https://t.co/6bN4HOeLDb
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) October 8, 2017
Congratulations to @omargaber and our former players @ElNennyM & @22mosalah for qualifying for the World Cup 2018 with Egypt🇪🇬! #FCBasel1893 https://t.co/UHc4vRd7Uh
— FC Basel 1893 EN (@FC_Basel_en) October 8, 2017
.@HHShkMohd: Congratulations, Egypt & congratulations to all Arabs… You brought happiness to our hearts from the Gulf to the Ocean https://t.co/kujhfyOnSq
— Sport360° (@Sport360) October 8, 2017
Special night for @22mosalah who’s penalty sends Egypt to the World Cup for the first time since 1990! 🔥🔴 pic.twitter.com/Bahfn5nufI
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) October 8, 2017
For 28yrs Egypt failed to qualify for the World cup. Then Wenger signed Mohammed Elneny the Egyptian Pirlo and the rest is “Thanks Allah”.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) October 8, 2017
Impossible not to get chills listening to the commentary of Mohamed Salah’s game-winning penalty that sent Egypt to the 2018 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/YFquwbgCpB
— Adam Serrano (@LAGalaxyInsider) October 8, 2017
Salah contributed in Egypt’s ALL 7 goals in the World Cup qualifications. 5 goals and 2 assists. Egypt’s hero in every sense of the word.
— andrew. (@itsnotJesusXO) October 8, 2017
GIVE HIM A BALLON D’OR#Egypt #Russia2018 pic.twitter.com/hvs09OXjeR
— Karim Abdelrahman (@K_Abdelrahman13) October 8, 2017
Nothing but respect for Egypt’s new president! pic.twitter.com/u47S21ZR9w
— Dena Khalafallah (@DenaKhalafallah) October 8, 2017
Imagine taking a penalty – in the 95th min – which could end a 28 year wait for your football mad nation?
Salah has nerves of steel.#Egypt pic.twitter.com/fHHBkRsUB4
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) October 8, 2017
You’ll will never understand how much this means to my beautiful country Egypt. So proud right now 🇪🇬❤️
— Fady Elsayed (@iFadyElsayed) October 8, 2017
44 year-old Essam El-Hadary is finally going to a World Cup.
It’s been a long wait… His international debut was in 1996! #Egypt #WCQ pic.twitter.com/QRI9nUros9
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) October 8, 2017
no, egypt just scored https://t.co/9Q2R3N7OTj
— looka🍓 (@lukaux) October 8, 2017
Salah has sent Egypt into full-on Delerium pic.twitter.com/xazIxv7GhR
— Ismail Salameh (@saliday) October 8, 2017
This win for Egypt is so much bigger than just soccer. To have success in the midst of economic turmoil and terrorism for once is huge
— Ameer (@belwrem) October 8, 2017
fireworks going off, horns honking, ppl running through the streets screaming egypt is lit rn 🔥
— heidi (@pathetiqlly) October 8, 2017
Huge credit to Egypt for braving the pressure. Just as for Nigeria vs Zambia, these deciders are never easy, even vs “weaker” opposition.
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) October 8, 2017
