.
Subscribe to receive Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter for free, delivered directly to your email inbox.
Join Miguel Delaney’s complimentary weekly newsletter.
Unfortunately, Egypt once again experienced disappointment in the Africa Cup of Nations when goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scored the deciding penalty, advancing DR Congo to the quarter-finals.
Each of the Pharaohs’ four elimination matches in the 2021 tournament went into overtime, resulting in a loss on penalty kicks in the final game against Senegal.
After a tie of 1-1 in extra time, they experienced the same outcome in San Pedro, resulting in a loss of 8-7 in a penalty shootout.
Mostafa Mohamed continued to step up in the absence of the injured Mohamed Salah with his fourth goal in as many matches from the spot, cancelling out Meschack Elia’s opener, with Egypt hanging on in extra time following Mohamed Hamdy’s 97th-minute red card.
Mohamed failed to score from a penalty kick at the 12 yard mark during his second attempt. The goalkeeper, Mohamed Abou Gabal, also made a mistake, allowing the opposing team’s goalkeeper, Mpasi, to remain composed and secure a spot in the quarter-finals against Guinea.
Elia posed a danger from the beginning and squandered a potential chance within the first two minutes, sprinting past Egypt’s aggressive defensive formation before shooting above the goal.
Shortly after arriving in Egypt, former West Brom player Ahmed Hegazi missed a great opportunity to score when he headed Marwan Attia’s cross from six yards out without any defenders marking him in the eighth minute.
In the 37th minute, Rui Vitoria’s team had control of the ball but failed to convert it into scoring opportunities, ultimately leading to their defeat.
Theo Bongonda was unable to keep his shot down from 15 yards, and Hamdi Fathi’s well-executed sliding challenge stopped Elia from taking a shot on goal. This happened after Brentford’s Yoane Wissa made a great pass to the Young Boys forward.
Soon after, Elia was able to score by heading in a cross from Wissa that was deflected beyond Abou Gabal. This occurred as Egypt was caught off guard by a throw-in from Arthur Masuaku, a former left-back for West Ham.
However, the Leopards’ lead was short-lived as VAR stepped in and awarded a penalty for Dylan Batubinsika’s elbow on Hegazi. Mohamed then successfully scored the penalty into the top corner.
During the seventh minute of the second half, Elia nearly became the provider by creating an opportunity on the right and delivering a cross that Cedric Bakambu narrowly missed, hitting the side-netting.
Chancel Mbemba, a defender from DR Congo, missed a header from a corner kick. Egypt regained their momentum with saves from goalkeeper Mpasi after Ahmed Sayed Zizo and Attia created chances.
Despite appearing to have a higher chance of scoring a winning goal, they were unable to produce any noteworthy opportunities towards the end of the game. Their momentum was disrupted by Hamdy’s expulsion from the match due to receiving two yellow cards, the second for a reckless tackle.
Masuaku kicked the ball over the crossbar and Samuel Moutoussamy missed his shot from far away before a thrilling penalty shootout where both goalkeepers took turns.
Source: independent.co.uk
