Mo Salah vs laser pointer: When Lionel Messi was targeted in Barcelona vs Real Madrid clash

Mohamed Salah was peppered with laser pointers when he lined up to take a penalty for Egypt in their World Cup qualifying match with Senegal this week.

The Pharaohs were a penalty shootout away from booking themselves a flight to Qatar after their two-legged clash with the African champions finished 1-1 courtesy of a Saliou Ciss own goal and Boulaye Dia’s strike.

And considering that the very same nations had gone toe-to-toe from 12 yards just a few months ago in the Africa Cup of Nations final, you could rest assured that the pressure was turned up to 11.

In fact, that couldn’t have been clearer than in the way that the shootout started with Salah’s skied effort looking like par for the course when you consider that the first four attempts were all missed.

However, Salah’s misfire was particularly notable not just because of his name status, but also due to the fact that several laser pointers were aimed directly at his face before he took the spot-kick.

Only the Liverpool star himself will know how much of a role the lasers played in his subsequent miss, but there’s no denying that the episode caused a stir with Egypt proceeding to be knocked out.

And it’s not the first time that laser pointers have taken centre stage in football matches with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney having also been subject with the same treatment before penalties.

In fact, one occasion that befell Lionel Messi before taking a free-kick for Barcelona remains note-worthy for having provoked a no-nonsense reaction from those in the commentary box.

During the 2011 Copa del Rey final, Messi’s face can be seen lit up by a green laser as he chats to Xavi and Dani Alves about how he’s going to take a set piece against Real Madrid.

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