AFCON 2021: Mo Salah, Trezeguet Combine to Send Egypt to Semis as Morocco Exit

AFCON 2021: Mo Salah, Trezeguet Combine to Send Egypt to Semis as Morocco Exit

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM
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CAF AFCON
Africa
  • Egypt vs Morocco AFCON quarter-final clash ended in a 2-1 win for the Pharaohs in Yaoundé
  • Salah stepped up to inspire Egypt to victory as he scored once before he set up Trezeguet for the winner
  • The Pharaohs will now face hosts Cameroon in the semi-final of the tournament

Egypt are through to the semi-final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt's players celebrate their second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 quarter-final football match between against Morocco (Photo by Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP).
Salah stepped up to inspire Egypt to victory as he scored once before he set up Trezeguet for the winner. Photo by Kenzo Tribouillard.
Source: Getty Images

The Pharaohs sealed qualification to the last four after they stunned Morocco 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Sunday, January 30, in Yaounde.

Egypt set up a north African derby with the Atlas Lions after overcoming a gruelling clash with the Ivory Coast in the last 16.

On their part, Morocco needed Youssef En-Nesyri and a stunning Achraf Hakimi free-kick to turn things around against minnows Malawi.

However, that was as far as their 2021 AFCON campaign could go as they suffered a heartbreaking exit in the hands of Egypt.

This is despite Vahid Halilhodzic's charges taking an early lead after Sofiane Boufal stepped up to convert a penalty in the sixth minute.

Things were pretty much balanced through the first half as Morocco held on to head into the half with the advantage.

However, Mohamed Salah restored parity for Egypt in the 53rd minute, pouncing on a rebound after Bounou saved the Liverpool star's first shot.

Neither side was able to score the winner for the remainder of the half, forcing the tie into extra-time.

Egypt were finally able to earn the winner in the 100th minute through Trezeguet who slotted home from Salah's well-placed pass.

Carlos Queiroz's men will now face off against hosts Cameroon in the semi-finals as they hope to win the continental trophy they last won a decade ago.

Lampard linked with Everton job

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Chelsea icon Frank Lampard is on the verge of making a stunning return to management with Everton.

The Toffees are understood to be lining up the Englishman to take charge of the club following the recent sacking of Rafa Benitez.

According to reports, a formal announcement is expected to be made in the next 24 hours.

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Fred Kennedy
Editor - Europe Team