The rematch of the African Cup final, the duel between Salah and Mané in search of a place in the World Cup, had Egypt as partial winner and Queiroz as directly responsible. The pharaohs will travel to Dakar with a goal advantage and the moral blow of having managed to cancel out the team with the most offensive potential in Africa.
Saliou Ciss’s early own goal made the plan a good one. After a shot to the crossbar by Salah, the ball bounced off the Senegalese defender and into Edouard Mendy’s goal. It was a setback for the Senegalese, not only because they were behind in the 4th minute but because they forced the type of game that Queiroz was looking forward to: visiting dominance, local defense at all costs.
In this context, Egypt handled itself very well.. With the same recipe with which the Portuguese coach took Iran to the previous World Cup, he closed corridors and doors and Senegal collided again and again with the large Egyptian defense. Only Salah, Marmoush and Trezeguet remained as options to mount a counterattack.
Senegal did not have many chances either, despite the attempts of Mané and Islmaila Sarr, mainly. On the few occasions that the goal was close, the reliable El Shennawy appeared to abort any danger. The goalkeeper, just like what happened in the African Cup with him and his other teammates, was fundamental.
Between tension and little game, Senegal was getting into the Egyptian trap and ended up crazy and aware that on Tuesday he will have to turn around a very complicated scoreboard if he wants to be in Qatar. Both have a level to qualify, but there is only room for one…