The hosts and top scorers met a dogged Egyptian side with a place in the final against Senegal up for grabs.
It was a pretty even start, with both sides happy to have control of the ball and not try anything too dangerous. The first real chance fell to Cameroon as Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui rattled the post with his header following a corner. The defender had another great chance but fluffed his shot as Egypt’s defence wobbled.
Anticipation building up, who'll make it to the final! 👀🏆#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #CMREGY | @Visa pic.twitter.com/D7L9i7h8Dj
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) February 3, 2022
Cameroon were getting forward more often, winning free kicks in good areas but unable to do much with them. Meanwhile, Mo Salah was having a very quiet game which meant Egypt were struggling to create chances. So, it was no surprise that the game was goalless at halftime.
HALF-TIME! ⏰#TeamCameroon 0-0 #TeamEgypt
Despite the absence of goals in the first 45 minutes, both sides have absolutely delivered.
Who will score first in the second half? #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #CMREGY pic.twitter.com/ULxYVUtw4K
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) February 3, 2022
Egypt started brightly after the break and Salah had a glorious chance after 10 minutes. A suicidal back pass from Martin Hongla was intercepted by the forward who seemingly had a free run at goal. However, his first touch was poor and allowed the onrushing Andre Onana to get a foot to the ball and clear it away. The match remained a cagey affair, Karl Toko Ekambi testing Abougabal with a flicked header at the near post.
🦸♂️ 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐? @AndreyOnana.
A goalkeeper like no other 🇨🇲🧤#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #TeamCamerron | #CMREGY | @FecafootOfficie pic.twitter.com/z0efFCgrCF
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) February 3, 2022
That was followed up by Samuel Gouet’s fierce strike from distance that just shaved the left hand post as the game entered the final 20 minutes. With the game destined for extra-time, Carlos Queiroz was sent off from touchline for excessive complaining and interfering too much. Surely enough, the fulltime whistle went and an additional 30 minutes was needed.
End of the second half! ⏰#TeamCameroon 0-0 #TeamEgypt
Nothing to separate both teams! 🤜🤛
Off to extra time! 🔜#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #CMREGY pic.twitter.com/DOzgEV8aFg
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) February 3, 2022
The first period passed by largely without incident, with both sides looking tired by the minute. The final 15 minutes of extra time saw some action, especially with Ramadan Sobhi’s cross that flashed across goal without anybody getting a touch. But the match went to penalties.
✅ 90 minutes done.
⏳ 30 minutes to go.Can any side clinch the victory during the extra time?
𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙡𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙮 | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #CMREGY | @1xBet_Eng
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) February 3, 2022
Cameroon were kicking first and missed their second attempt from Harold Moukodi with Abougabal saving. Egypt took the lead before The Indomitable Lions fluffed their lines again. The Pharaohs took a 3-1 lead meaning Clinto N’Jie had to score his for Cameroon to have any remaining chance. He sent his penalty well wide of the post as Egypt advanced to the final.
Egypt takes down Cameroon in penalties and is headed to the #AFCON2021 final where they will take on Senegal! 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/03Phhqmnl8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 3, 2022
Here are the three key takeaways from the match:
CAMEROON FALL FLAT IN SHOOTOUT
Cameroon were the more threatening of the two sides, with Toko Ekambi’s pace causing problems. They went the closest too, striking the upright on two separate occasions. Aboubakar was largely anonymous but the defence more than held firm. Onana was the saviour in one of the most pivotal moments of normal time, his sweeping sense on high alert to block Salah’s threat when the Egyptian seemed to have had a free run. They tried and tried but to no avail and finally had to settle for penalties. A horror run of three consecutive missed meant the hosts were out.
EGYPT EASE THEIR WAY IN
Egypt had gotten a reputation of grinding out results so it was not expected to be a goalfest. Salah’s uncharacteristically poor first touch let him down on the biggest possible chance for The Pharaohs. Sobhi thought he had fashioned something deep into extra time but his cross found nobody.
Gabaski the hero for Egypt! He came in to the tournament as second choice keeper but fate placed him in goal after a Mohamed El Shenawi injury. Egypt and Mohamed Salah are heading for the AFCON final. 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/7jn0Z1kyja
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) February 3, 2022
Salah was kept largely quiet and last game’s match winner Trezeguet proving ineffective since his arrival at halftime. They scored all three of their spot kicks as the goalkeeper produced two huge saves to carry them through to the final.
SALAH VS MANE
Liverpool teammates going against each other in the final. Both of them will be looking to lead their respective nation to silverware in a blockbuster final. Though Senegal will be the happier of the two given the more amount of rest they will be getting in addition to Egypt being without their coach on the sidelines.
