Egypt secures a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 with a 2-2 draw against Cape Verde in a thrilling Group B finale in Abidjan.
Egypt seemed destined for a third-place finish behind the Blue Sharks and Ghana, but late goals in both matches changed their fate.
Mostafa Mohamed, the Pharaohs’ forward, scored what appeared to be a 93rd-minute game-winner.
Nevertheless, Cape Verde equalized six minutes later, and the Pharaohs clinched the second spot as Ghana surrendered a 2-0 lead in added time against Mozambique.
Rui Vitoria’s team is set to confront the second-place finisher in Group F in the last 16 on Sunday at 20:00 GMT.
While Mohamed Salah, sidelined due to injury, observed from the sidelines, Egypt found themselves trailing at halftime after Benchimol’s clever finish. However, a 50th-minute volley from halftime substitute Trezeguet leveled the score.
The Pharaohs were aware that a victory would secure their passage to the second spot, and with Ghana leading against Mozambique, jubilation erupted as Mohamed lobbed Vozinha to give them a 2-1 lead in added time.
Nevertheless, suspense ensued when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) prompted match official Alhadi Mahamat to review whether Mohamed had controlled Trezeguet’s ball forward with his chest or hand. The Chadian official eventually validated the goal, but Egypt faced a late scare when Bryan Teixeira scored from a narrow angle.
Fortunately, Ghana’s surprising collapse, conceding a 91st-minute penalty and a 94th-minute equalizer against Mozambique, ensured Egypt’s advancement to the knockout stages, despite drawing all three group games in Ivory Coast.
Trezeguet steps up as Salah watches on
Salah had been sidelined after an early departure in the 2-2 draw against Ghana last Thursday. Despite the forward’s absence, he was present in the stands for a tense evening for the seven-time continental champions.
The 31-year-old is set to return to Liverpool for treatment on his leg injury, and doubts about his fitness linger as agent Ramy Abbas Issa questions whether Salah will recover in time for a potential final on February 11.
Despite dominating the first half, the Pharaohs found themselves trailing at halftime. Trezeguet symbolized their renewed determination when he narrowly missed a shot just after the restart. In a smart exchange with Ahmed Hegazi, the former Aston Villa player’s left-footed volley had sufficient power to slip through Vozinha’s legs.
Trezeguet played a pivotal role in Egypt’s attacking moves, missing narrowly from distance and forcing Vozinha to deflect a curling effort. Unsurprisingly, it was Trezeguet who unlocked the Cape Verde defense, setting up Mohamed’s crucial goal.
Cape Verde had already clinched the top spot in Group B before facing the North Africans, and despite fielding a significantly altered lineup, they demonstrated resilience by equalizing in the dying moments.
Several Pharaohs players, believing Ghana had secured victory after Teixeira leveled the score to 2-2, expressed despair as they sank to the turf. However, the delayed restart worked in their favor, as they were subsequently informed that a draw was sufficient for their progression.
Having been runners-up in the 2017 and 2021 finals, Egypt, now through to the knockout stages, maintains hope for Salah’s return as they aim to secure their first Afcon title since 2010.