A Mohamed Salah injury-time penalty sealed a 2-1 win for Egypt over Congo in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, effectively handing the Pharaohs passage to Russia 2018 at the expense of Ghana and Uganda.
A point ahead of second-placed Uganda before kick-off in Alexandria, the North Africans needed full points to claim the sole ticket ahead of a dreaded trip to Ghana on the last matchday next month.
And it had to come the hard way - nail-biting and heart-throbbing - as Arnold Bouka Matou restored parity for Congo on 87 minutes after Salah gave the home side a 63rd minute lead.
At that point, the Pharaohs looked headed for a heartbreak on home soil but Salah converted from the spot in the 5th minute of injury time to send the seven-time African champions to the Word Cup for the first time since 1990.
A four-point lead ahead of Uganda means the Pharaohs will have nothing to lose, even if they fall to Ghana on the final matchday next month.
The Cranes, meanwhile, held the Black Stars to a goalless draw in Kampala on Saturday.
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