AGADIR, Morocco: Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt gained 3-2 to dump defending champions Ivory Coast out of the Africa Cup of Nations in an exhilarating quarter-final.
Omar Marmoush and Ramy Rabia netted for Egypt, then Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh conceded an personal objective earlier than half-time.
Salah then edged nearer to a primary Africa Cup of Nations winners medal by doubling the lead quickly after the break earlier than Guela Doue pulled a objective again for Ivory Coast, however it wasn’t sufficient for the holders.
The jubilant Egyptians will face Senegal on Wednesday in Tangiers with the winners assembly hosts Morocco or Nigeria 4 days later within the closing.
“I am so proud of this win and reaching the semi-finals,” stated Salah.
“I’m proud to put on the Egyptian nationwide jersey, and all of the gamers know the accountability that comes with it.”
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan thanked his gamers, calling them “true Egyptians who struggle for the happiness of their individuals”.
He added: “The success belongs to the gamers, beginning with Salah and Marmoush, who lead the press from the entrance. We all know there might be areas, and our gamers can exploit them.”
The triumph in Agadir confirmed Egypt’s AFCON dominance over Ivory Coast since they first met 56 years in the past. The Pharaohs have gained 11 instances and the Elephants simply as soon as.
Ivory Coast turned the eighth consecutive title-holders to fail to efficiently defend the title since Egypt achieved the feat in 2010.
Salah has helped Liverpool win the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Membership World Cup, in its earlier format, however essentially the most prized African medal has eluded him.
The 33-year-old has twice been a runner-up after losses within the AFCON closing to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal 5 years later.
Now he’s two matches away from realizing his long-time dream of serving to Egypt win the AFCON a record-extending eighth time.
Salah arrived in Morocco amid uncertainty over his future at Liverpool after a post-match outburst following a draw at Leeds when he was demoted to the substitutes’ bench.
Medical greatest
However he has been again to his predatory greatest on the AFCON, scoring the profitable objectives towards Zimbabwe and South Africa within the group stage, then the objective that sealed a last-16 victory over Benin.
On Saturday, Egypt took the lead simply 182 seconds after the kick-off by means of Manchester Metropolis striker Marmoush.
Ivory Coast misplaced possession, Emam Ashour delivered an excellent move and Marmoush took benefit of Odilon Kossounou slipping to beat goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Egypt elevated their lead on 32 minutes when center-back Rabia soared above Ibrahim Sangare to fulfill a Salah nook, and his looping header beat Fofana.
The defending champions had been rattled and wanted to attain. It got here after 40 minutes when Egyptian Aboul-Fetouh conceded an personal objective.
Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old RB Leipzig striker, floated a free kick into the guts of the six-yard field, Kossounou nodded the ball goalwards and it entered the online off the midriff of Aboul-Fetouh.
Salah restored Egypt’s two-goal lead simply seven minutes into the second half, and as soon as once more Ashour from African membership giants Al Ahly was the creator.
The midfielder gained possession on the left wing, and his low cross was completely weighted for Salah to push the ball into the online regardless of being below strain from Ghislain Konan.
Ivory Coast, who overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Gabon in a bunch match, as soon as once more halved the deficit after 73 minutes.
Egypt didn’t clear a nook and Doue flicked the ball previous 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy to arrange a tense end.
