Egypt knocked out of World Cup

The bar was set high for the Egyptian national team to make it to the World Cup, but the team was eliminated from the qualifier Tuesday night.

Egypt had to win by five goals in order to participate in the tournament in Brazil next year, after losing 6-1 to the Ghanians in the last qualifier.

Coach Bob Bradley had changed the lineup ahead of this match. Only six of Egypt’s starters in the last crushing defeat were on the field at the beginning of tonight’s match. The most notable absences were Wael Gomaa and Ahmed al-Mohamadi. The two defenders had been singled out as weak points during the last match.

Cairo Stadium was packed full of fans, despite Ghana’s multiple requests to move the match outside of the country citing security concerns. A number of fans inside the stadium threw flares onto the field, while others honed green laser pointers onto the Ghanian team.

Ghana opened the game by holding the middle of the field, until Egypt responded by taking to the wings. The team especially depended on right wing Hazem Imam and right striker Mohamed Salah to put pressure on the Ghanian team.

Amr Zaki, who returned to the field after a long absence, converted a cross into Egypt’s first goal in the 24th minute. Another goal by Mohamed Nagy Gido, popularly known as “Grandpa,” in the 83rd minute left Egypt with the task of scoring three goals in nine minutes to make it to the World Cup.

However, the urgency quickly turned to despair in the 89th minute, when Ghana scored to bring the match to 2-1.

The last time Egypt qualified for the World Cup was 1990.