On Tuesday, Egypt lost a penalty shootout against Senegal following a 1-1 aggregate draw to miss out on a World Cup spot as the reigning African champions pipped them to a place in Qatar.
Sadio Mane, just like he did in last month's Nations Cup final in Cameroon, converted the winning penalty with a powerful shot down the middle to spark jubilant scenes at the new Abdoulaye Wade Stadium near the capital Dakar.
Egypt's spot-kick specialists Mohamed Salah and Ahmed Zizo astonishingly missed the team's first two efforts, failing to capitalize on equally opening misses from Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly and Saliou Ciss.
Another wasted kick from Egypt striker Mostafa Mohamed, who saw his tame shot come off the outstretched legs of Edouard Mendy, condemned the Pharaohs to a cruel loss as they failed to make back-to-back World Cup appearances for the first time.
Several Egypt players wept following the final whistle, with Mane upstaging the subdued Salah once again in another eye-catching duel between the Liverpool teammates.
In a scenario similar to Egypt's 1-0 first-leg win in Cairo, striker Boulaye Dia bundled home the opener from four yards out after a free-kick was met with a half-hearted defensive clearance.
A physical game then unfolded, with both sides struggling to string passes together in a first half low on quality.
Egypt vastly improved after the break, threatening on several occasions although Senegal's Ismaila Sarr also spurned a glorious chance for the hosts.
Senegal were in control in extra time as Egypt were indebted to goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi for denying some near-certain goals, with Mane and Sarr wreaking havoc down both flanks.
Follow the latest news on Google News
