Road to Qatar: how Senegal qualified for World Cup 2022

How Sadio Mane and Co sealed their place at the finals

Senegal players celebrate after their penalty shoot-out win over Egypt that saw them qualify for the World Cup finals in Qatar. EPA

Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane of Senegal battle for the ball during the World Cup qualifier at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium in Dakar on March 29, 2022. EPA

Senegal's Nampalys Mendy under pressure from Omar Marmoush of Egypt. AFP

Senegal's Sadio Mane celebrates after the match. EPA

Senegal's Bouna Sarr passes the ball under pressure from Yasser Ibrahim of Egypt. AFP

Senegal's Saliou Ciss battles with Emam Ashour of Egypt. AFP

Egypt's Mohamed Salah after missing in the shoot-out while Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy celebrates. AP

Senegal's Sadio Mane finishes past Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawy in the shoot-out. AP

Egypt's Mohamed Salah under pressure from Saliou Ciss of Senegal. AP

Senegal attacker Sadio Mane on the ball. AFP

It has already been a year to remember for Sadio Mane and Senegal, before a ball has even been kicked at the Qatar World Cup.

In February, Aliou Cisse's men lifted the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after overcoming Egypt and Mohamed Salah 4-2 on penalties in Cameroon, with Mane scoring the crucial goal in the shoot-out.

Less than two months later, the two nations were clashing again, this time in a World Cup qualifier to secure a place in the first finals ever to be held in the Middle East.

Once again, the Lions of Teranga came out on top in a shoot-out and, once again, Mane converted the match-winning penalty after Salah – then a Liverpool teammate of Mane, who would go on to join Bayern Munich in the summer – had missed one for Egypt.

“I want to congratulate everyone on the World Cup qualification,” manager Cisse said after the match. “I would have visited every fan who supported us to thank them if I could.

“Everyone was united, I want to thank the people who built this stadium and the journalists who criticised us, they were all a part of our success.”

In Qatar, Senegal were drawn in Group A alongside Qatar, Ecuador and the Netherlands.

Senegal's fixtures in Qatar

November 21 Senegal v Netherlands – Al Thumama Stadium (2pm UAE)

November 25 Qatar v Senegal – Al Thumama Stadium (5pm)

November 29 Netherlands v Qatar – Al Bayt Stadium (7pm)

Qualifying results

Second round (Group H)

September 1, 2021 Senegal 2 (Mane 56, A. Diallo 81') Togo 0

September 7, 2021 Congo 1 (Ganvoula pen 45+2') Senegal 3 (Dia 27', I. Sarr 82', Mane 87')

October 9, 2021 Senegal 4 (Gueye 10', Diedhiou 38', Mane 54', Keita 83') Namibia 1 (Kamatuka 75')

October 12, 2021 Namibia 1 (Shalulile 27') Senegal 3 (Diedhiou 22', 51', 84')

November 11, 2021 Togo 1 (Cisse 45+1') Senegal 1 (H. Diallo 90+3')

November 14, 2021 Senegal 2 (I. Sarr 14', 24') Congo 0

Third round

First leg: March 25, 2022 Egypt 1 (Ciss og 4') Senegal 0

Second leg: March 29, 2022 Senegal 1 (Fathi og 4') Egypt 0 (AET) Senegal won 3-1 on penalties