Club News

Baggies duo qualify for FIFA World Cup

AHMED Hegazi and Grzegorz Krychowiak helped their nations qualify for the FIFA World Cup on Sunday.

Hegazi’s Egypt secured a spot in Russia after a dramatic end to their clash with Congo in Borg El Arab.

Leading 1-0 with just two minutes left, Congo’s Arnold Bouka smashed home an equaliser to silence the 90,000 crowd.

However, there was an incredible twist when the hosts were awarded a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time. 

Mohamed Salah blasted the ball into the back of the net to ensure the country will compete at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1990.

The Baggies defender played 90 minutes.

Krychowiak’s Poland also booked their ticket to Russia with a 4-2 victory over Montenegro.

The Albion midfielder played the whole game in Warsaw where goals from Krzysztof Maczynski, Kamil Grosicki, Robert Lewandowski and a Filip Stojkovic own goal confirmed Poland as Group E winners.

It will be their first appearance at a World Cup since 2006.

Elsewhere, there was disappointment for Matt Phillips as Scotland’s hopes of qualification were halted in Slovenia.

The Scots needed three points in Ljubljana to have a chance of securing a play-off spot after Slovakia’s 3-0 win over Malta, but they could only draw 2-2.

The Baggies winger completed 90 minutes while James Morrison was not involved as Scotland finished third in Group F.

Albion trio Jonny Evans, Gareth McAuley and Chris Brunt all completed the whole game for Northern Ireland who lost 1-0 in Norway.

Brunt diverted the ball into his own net inside the final 20 minutes but results earlier in the day meant Northern Ireland’s play-off spot had already been confirmed.

Finally, Jake Livermore was an unused substitute for England who recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Lithuania in Vilnius.

Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the first half.

  • Home