GHANA have qualified for the World Cup after stunning Nigeria in Abuja.
Thomas Partey gave the Black Stars an early lead when his strike went under despairing Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
William Troost-Ekong equalised with a penalty but it was all in vain as away goals DO count double
And that triggered shocking scenes at the national stadium in Abuja as thousands of fans invaded the pitch and tore up seats.
Pitch invasion
Another video of the shocking scenes in Abuja earlier this evening.
Nigeria were knocked out of the World Cup by Ghana on away goals.
The picture in South America
Later this evening we will be heading to South America.
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador have all qualified, leaving just one spot in the international play-off left.
Peru, Colombia and Chile can all claim it.
Follow all the Conmebol action here
Lewandowski makes it to Qatar
Poland’s place in the World Cup has been confirmed.
Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski netted in a 2-0 win over Sweden.
Cristiano Ronaldo qualifies
Ghana could face Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal made it safely through to the World Cup.
The Portuguese triumphed 2-0 over Italy’s conquerors North Macedonia to make it to the play-off final.
Poland are also set to go through as they lead 2-0 against Sweden.
Laser pen shame
There may be nothing more intimidating than an away play-off in Africa.
Here’s what Mo Salah had to put up with before missing his penalty in Senegal.
Tear gas fired
Another video of the wild scenes in Abuja as tear gas was fired onto the pitch following riots from the home fans.
Ghana made it through on away goals thanks to a Thomas Partey strike.
Around the grounds
Elsewhere, Cameroon have taken the lead in Algeria and levelled on aggregate.
Morocco meanwhile lead the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 at home and 2-1 on aggregate.
Senegal qualify
Sadio Mane has broken Mo Salah’s heart again.
The Liverpool star hit the winning penalty as Senegal beat Egypt on penalties to qualify for the World Cup, just as they did to win the Afcon final.
On his part, Salah ballooned Egypt’s first kick as they were beaten 3-1 on pens following a 1-1 aggregate draw.
Ghana journalists safe
Good news from Abuja as the Ghanaian journalists are safely in the press conference room after being protected by the Nigerian journalists.
Home comforts
The smallest crumb of comfort for Nigeria fans.
Nigeria still haven’t lost in Abuja for 20 years and they still haven’t lost to Ghana in March.
Penalty alert!
Senegal vs Egypt has gone to penalties!
Ghana fans marched onto pitch
The small band of visiting Ghana fans have been led onto the pitch for their own safety after having objects thrown at them from the Nigeria section.
Pitch battle
Shocking scenes in Abuja following Nigeria’s exit from the World Cup.
Super Eagles fans have invaded the pitch and are throwing chairs left, right and centre.
Penalties loom
In the other early match we are one minute away from penalties.
Egypt won the first leg 1-0 and Senegal lead by a single goal in the closing stages of extra time.
Follow all the action from Senegal vs Egypt here.
Inseparable
Attention in Ghana will now turn to who they get in the World Cup draw.
And one team they have a lot of history with is the United States.
The Black Stars were drawn with the Americans in 2006, 2010 and 2014 before both teams failed to qualify in 2018.
Senegal vs Egypt
We are still playing in Senegal, where Sadio Mane’s side lead Mo Salah’s by a goal to nil.
The match is into the second half of extra time and it’s looking very much like we will have a repeat of the Afcon final, which was decided on penalties.
Follow all the action from Senegal vs Egypt here.
Ghana into Pot 4
Ghana will need to show the same resilience they showed here in Abuja when they arrive in Qatar.
The Black Stars have been drawn into Pot 4, which will see them earn the toughest possible draw on Friday.
Had Nigeria qualified, they would have been in Pot 2 or 3.
And that result opens the door for Canada to advance to Pot 3, which would be an incredible achievement after they qualified for their first World Cup since 1986.
Pots are decided by Fifa World Rankings.
Bogey team
Nigeria continue their atrocious head-to-head record against Ghana in a tie they were overwhelming favourites to win.
They have won lost 25, drawn 20 and won just 12 against the Black Stars.
Full time: Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
Thomas Partey’s strike sends Ghana to the World Cup while Nigeria miss out for the first time since 2006!
Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho will take some time to get over this one after letting the Arsenal star’s shot go straight through his body.
It would be an exaggeration to call it a deserved win for the Black Stars, but Nigeria didn’t show anywhere near enough in the second half to breach their defence after Troost Ekong’s penalty equaliser.
Away goals seem a particularly harsh way to decide things but Ghana won’t care a jot.
Ghana qualify for the World Cup!!!!!!!!!
90+4: Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
A long ball goes comfortably wide of Wollacot’s post. Ghana nearly there now…
90+2: Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
A poor free kick from Moses Simon floats comfortably over the bar.
Ghana goalkeeper Joe Wollacot harshly booked for timewasting the second the ballboy gives him the ball.
90+1: Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
Free kick to Nigeria on the edge of the box.
90: Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
Ghana break and Osman Bukari has the chance to win it.
But he pulls his shot so wide it hits the corner flag.
90: Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
Five minutes stoppage time added on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
