MOHAMED Salah was the hero on Sunday as Egypt came from behind to defeat Morocco 2-1 in the quarter-final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Liverpool forward scored one of the goals and set up the other to send the Pharaohs to their second semi-final in three AFCON editions, where they will face hosts Cameroon.
Sofiane Boufal gave Morocco the perfect start in Yaounde as they took the lead from the penalty spot in the seventh minute.
Referee Maguette N’Diaye had initially not awarded the penalty, but his attention was called by the VAR to have a second look at a foul by Ayman Ashraf against Achraf Hakimi.
He changed his mind and Boufal rifled the spot kick into the roof of the net.
In the chase for their record-breaking eighth AFCON title, Egypt began the second half brightly and were rewarded eight minutes in when Salah reacted quickest to score from close range after Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou had done brilliantly to stop Mostafa Mohamed’s header.
Morocco were within inches of snatching a late goal when Gabaski turned Nayef Aguerd’s header onto the crossbar in the 82nd minute.
Egypt were then dealt a big blow early in extra-time, when second-choice goalkeeper Gabaski was replaced due to injury.
Still, the Pharaohs completed the turnaround in the 100th minute when substitute Trezeguet took full advantage of some brilliant build-up play from Salah to tap home and end the Atlas Lions’ quest for their first AFCON title since 1976.
Egypt will face Cameroon on Thursday in a replay of the 2017 final between the tournament’s two most successful teams.
