WORLD CUP ROUND-UP
LIVERPOOL star Mohamed Salah was the hero for Egypt after his last-gasp penalty put the Pharaohs into the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years.
Salah had given his side a 63rd-minute lead as Egypt looked nervy against Congo.
A defensive blunder let in Salah, but Egypt’s dream threatened to turn sour when Arnold Bouka Moutou equalised with three minutes left.
The home side, though, won a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Salah was the calmest man in the stadium as he stepped up to secure the trip to Russia – Egypt’s first appearance at the finals since 1990 in Italy.
Argentina flew to Ecuador last night for their most important World Cup qualifier in years.
Lionel Messi and Co need a win in Quito to breathe life into their faltering campaign.
They lie sixth in the 10-team South American group, with the top four going through automatically, while the fifth-placed side go into an intercontinental play-off against Oceania winners New Zealand.
Three points would guarantee Argentina a top-five slot but, with no wins in their last four qualifiers, the mood is not optimistic.
Neither coach Jorge Sampaoli nor his players have spoken to the press since Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Peru.