Egypt’s capital crackled with fireworks and blared with horns as the football-crazy country reached the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
Rare scenes of joy took hold of city blocks celebrating a 2-1 victory over Congo.
Winger Mohamed Salah scored twice, securing victory with a last-gasp penalty to put Egypt four points clear with one match left in their African group E qualifying campaign.
Thousands of Egyptians spilled into the streets after the match, waving flags and chanting the Liverpool striker’s name, after his two goals put Egypt four points clear with one match left in the preliminary campaign.
The win got Egypt a long-awaited spot in Russia for the 2018 World Cup finals, where the Arab world’s most populous country will compete on football’s ultimate stage for the first time since Italy in 1990.
