Salah fires Egypt into AFCON semi final

The Pharaohs of Egypt have overcome their slow start at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and are now through to the semi-final stage of the tournament.

Inspired by their fantastic captain, Mohamed Salah, Egypt has beaten fierce Northern rivals, Morocco to the semi-final ticket in dramatic fashion

Though they started on the back foot after they conceded an early goal from the penalty spot, Mohamed Salah got the equaliser for Egypt in the second half before the seven-time African kings went on to win the game in extra time.

Salah also had a hand in the winning goal scored by Trezeguet in the 100th minute.

The Liverpool man got the better of Naif Aguerd before sending the ball across the six-yard box for Trezeguet to slot home into an empty net at the far post.

The Pharaohs will now be battling against hosts, Cameroon for a place in the final on Thursday, February 3, 2022.

The seven-time champions may need to play that game with third-choice keeper Mohamed Sobhi, who came on for his international debut after Gabaski hurt himself while tipping Nayef Aguerd's header on to the bar near the end of normal time.

Without that save there would have been no semi-final to worry about - and Salah would have been on the next flight back to England.

Boufal's penalty was the only chance of note for either side in the first half - with most other efforts from long range.

Morocco were starting to dream of only their second semi-final since 1988 but Salah had other ideas, forcing extra time and then helping settle it by setting up half-time substitute Trezeguet.

Salah has been involved in 64% of Egypt's goals at the Africa Cup of Nations - nine of 14 - since he made his competition debut in 2017.

Egypt should have scored a third right at the end after Morocco keeper Bounou came up for a free-kick. Morocco played it short but Egypt made a mess of their counter-attack and Salah shot into the side-netting.