Jamie Carragher has slammed Egypt’s decision to make Mohamed Salah their fifth penalty taker after their defeat to Senegal in the African Cup of Nations final.
The two nations couldn’t be separated in 120 minutes – leaving penalties to decide the winner of the competition in which Sadio Mané scored the deciding spot-kick to secure a first-ever AFCON title for his country.
Salah was down to take Egypt’s next penalty but wasn’t given the opportunity after his teammates Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen missed from the spot.
The decision to leave name Salah so low down on the list was met with criticism with Carragher, who insisted that the forward should have been one of the first to take a penalty kick.
He tweeted: “That is why your best penalty taker should never go fifth.
“Mo Salah not taking a penalty for Egypt in a shootout in a final is madness. Also happened to Ronaldo years ago for Portugal v Spain.”
That is why your best penalty taker should never go fifth. Mo Salah not taking a penalty for Egypt in a shootout in a final is madness. Also happened to Ronaldo years ago for Portugal v Spain. #AFCON2021 #SENEGY
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 6, 2022
The former Liverpool defender was then asked if teams opted to put their best penalty taker fifth as they know they can cope with the pressure.
But the Sky Sports pundit was intrigued to know if it was a decision made by the manager or the player whilst also criticising Egypt for allowing Senegal to take the first penalty, despite winning the coin toss.
“That’s the theory or someone who the manager thinks can handle pressure moments,” he said.
“I’m interested in if it’s the managers decision or the player.
“Another thing that’s stupid in shootouts, teams who win the toss & let the opposition take the first penalty.”
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