Egypt 2-1 Morocco: Vintage Salah Show Inspires Egypt To AFCON Semis

Salah, goal scorer of his team’s equalizer and an assist in extra time, was logically voted MVP, in Egypt’s win over rivals Morocco in the AFCON quarter finals.

Led after 7 minutes of play, the Pharaohs were able to react at the start of the second period through their skipper Salah. Salah then put one on the plate for Trezeguet in extra time. As in 2017, the seven-time AFCON winners have stopped the Atlas Lions from advancing to the semis.

While they had opened the scoring very early in this game thanks to a penalty converted by Sofiane Boufal (7th), Vahid Halilhodžić’s men failed to keep their lead on the return from the locker room via a goal from Mohamed Salah (53rd), before they finally cracked in extra time, conceding another goal scored by Trézéguet (100th).

Egypt’s win came mainly due to the tactical genius of Carlos Queiroz. On return from the locker room, he made a first change, taking off defender Ahmed Hegazy for the entry of midfielder Trézéguet (46th).

The Aston Villa player immediately put himself in the game. Served at the penalty spot after a couple of swivel of the hips from Mohamed Salah in the penalty area, Trézéguet had the simple job of tapping in, but he missed his first attempt at the 49th minute.

From a corner, In the surface, Trezeguet tested Bounou who pushed back to the feet of Mohamed Salah, who finished (53rd, 1-1).

It stayed that way until Extra time

At the start of extra time, Morocco were left wanting, and Egypt, checkmate!

Injured towards the end of the second period, Mohamed Gabaski, the second Egyptian goalkeeper, was forced to give up his place to Mohamed Sobhi, the team’s third goalkeeper.

The young goalkeeper of Pharco FC was in for his first selection with the Pharaohs. It is the Egypt who eventually took the lead. Served on the right side, Mohamed Salah picked
up speed and astonishingly dealt with his one-v-one before serving to Trezeguet for 2-1 at the (100th) minute.

The victory against Morocco, after having eliminated Côte d’Ivoire in the round of 16, means Egypt will face Cameroon in the semi-finals.

The match will take place next Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Olembé stadium in Yaounde.