Mohamed Salah bagged a goal and an assist as Egypt advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Morocco in extra-time.
Result: Egypt 2-1 Morocco
Date: 30 January 2022
Venue: Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo
Munir El Haddadi and Aymen Barkok started as the Atlas Lions' only changes from the win over Malawi, whereas Egypt started without their first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
It was the Atlas Lions that hit the front on seven minutes as Sofiane Boufal slotted home from the penalty spot after Achraf Hakimi drew a foul in the area on Ayman Ashraf.
Carlos Queiroz's men began to assert authority following the slow start, as a speculative strike outside the area from Ashraf forced goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to a flying save.
Morocco were close to doubling their lead moments to halftime off a free-kick though Hakimi who netted from the same scenario against Malawi previously, missed target this time.
An introduction from the bench ahead of the second half from Queiroz had Mahmoud Trezeguet thrown into the mix and Ahmed Hegazy removed as a result.
Egypt got back into the contest eight minutes from the restart when an unmarked Mohamed Salah poked in a loose ball in the area after the Atlas Lions struggled to deal with a corner-kick.
With tampers beginning to boil over, Morocco were close to go back ahead ten minutes to fulltime from a header by Nayef Aguerd which Abou Gabal palmed onto the woodwork.
The Pharaohs were thrown into disarray four minutes into extra-time, with goalkeeper Gabal removed and Mohamed Sobhy introduced.
This particular make-up didn't bother the seven-time African champions as a low cross from the right-side by Salah in the 100th minute picked out Trezeguet, who tapped in easily.
Egypt took control thereafter and could've had a third through Salah from a counter-attack with the goalkeeper in no man's land, but he went wide as the encounter finished 2-1 with the seven-time winners advacing to the final four.
