AFCON, Egypt beat Cameroon to reach final: Records broken
The Egypt national football team has reached the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final. They have progressed after beating hosts Cameroon on penalties. The match ended 0-0 before Egypt keeper Gabaski saved two penalties to send his side through. Egypt will face Senegal in the final where we will see Mohamed Salah face his Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane. Here are further details.
Egypt prevail in the shootout to progress
Cameroon were the better side in normal time, showing more impetus. They hit the post twice through Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui's looping header and Samuel Gouet's long-range strike. Salah was kept quiet for much of the game. Cameroon missed three of their penalty efforts in the shootout. Gabaski drew saves from Harold Moukoudi and James Lea Siliki, while Clinton N'Jie side-footed wide.
10th AFCON final for Egypt
Seven-time AFCON winners Egypt have reached their 10th final in the tournament. They have been two-time runners-up - 1962 and 2017. Egypt last won the AFCON title in 2010. Meanwhile, five-time winners Cameroon missed the opportunity to reach their eighth final. They will lock horns with Burkano Faso for the third place playoff. Cameroon have finished third once back in 1972.
Major feats attained in the match
Cameroon and Egypt each played in their eighth penalty shootout at the Africa Cup of Nations, only Cote d'Ivoire (10) have participated in more in the competition's history. Egypt have now won six penalty shootouts at the AFCON, more than any other team in the competition's history. Notably, Egypt have progressed from each of their last seven semi-finals matches at this tournament.
Unique record for Egypt
As per Opta, Egypt are only the second team ever to go into extra-time in three consecutive knock-out games at the same AFCON edition (versus Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Cameroon), after Ivory Coast for their first title in 1992.
