Somalia pulled off a major upset by eliminating Mauritania on penalties to reach the next round of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. After two goalless matches, the tie was decided in a dramatic shootout.
Just like in the first leg, neither side managed to score, ending 0-0 after regular time and extra time. Mauritania pushed forward and created several chances, but Somalia’s defense held firm under pressure in a tightly contested encounter.
The qualification was ultimately decided from the penalty spot, where Somalia showed greater composure to seal the win. This result marks a significant achievement for Somali football, highlighting their resilience and ability to compete against more experienced teams on the continental stage.