The Egyptian national team has qualified for the final stage of the African qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after coming back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with their host, the Angola team, yesterday in the fifth and penultimate round of the second qualifying phase. Egypt has become the fourth team to qualify for the final stage, following Senegal, Morocco, and Mali.
Egypt raised its points to 11 at the top of Group 6, followed by Gabon with 7 points after winning against Libya 1-0 earlier today. Libya is in third place with 6 points, followed by Angola in fourth place with 4 points.
Helder Costa put Angola in the lead in the 26th minute with a powerful shot that found the top right corner of Egypt's goal, guarded by Mohamed El Shenawy. Mbala Nzola doubled Angola's advantage in the 36th minute with a penalty kick.
Mohamed Elneny managed to reduce the deficit for Egypt in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half after receiving a precise cross from Mohamed Salah, shooting into the left corner of the Angolan goalkeeper's net. Defender Akram Tawfik equalized for Egypt in the 59th minute after receiving a pass from Salah on the edge of the Angolan penalty area, striking the ball powerfully into the net.
Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz stated in television remarks after the match, "We have succeeded in climbing half the mountain, and we still need to climb the other half to reach the World Cup. My primary goal is to qualify for the World Cup, and we have a lot of work ahead to achieve that."
He added, "The first half was difficult due to the two goals... the humidity and high temperature delayed our entrance into the match, resulting in us conceding two goals. The response of the Egyptian players in the second half was good; we managed to control the midfield, scored two goals, and were closer to winning."
Queiroz concluded, "We have qualified for the final and decisive stage, and until March we have many things we will strive to do to prepare ourselves for this stage, as the Arab Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations are extremely important for the team."
