Roma cruised past 'Samp' in the end and were already cruising thanks to goals from Juan Jesus (19) and Patrik Schick (59) when El Shaarawy took centre stage.
Having been slipped in one-on-one the Egyptian looked destined to find the net, only for the visiting goalkeeper to force him away from goal afte rracing off his line.
However, El Shaarawy was not fazed by the unexpected hurdle and proceeded to finish the job regarless.
Running around the loose ball to get it back on to his right foot, the Roma star clipped an effort over the top of the retreating stopper and into the far corner to put his side three goals to the good.