MO SALAH is looking to reach an AFCON semi-final with Egypt.
In midweek, he scored the winning penalty as the Pharoahs overcame Ivory Coast after a 0-0 draw.
But they face a Morocco side who are in excellent form.
The Atlas Lions won their group and have so far won three of their four matches.
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- Egypt XI: Abogabal Kamal, Hegazy, Abdelmoneim, Fotouh, Elneny, Al Sualya, Ashraf, Salah, Mohamed, Marmoush
- Morocco XI: Bounou, Masina, Aguerd, Saiss, Hakimi, Boufal, Amrabat, Amallah, Barkok, En-Nesyri, El Kaabi, El Haddadi
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Egypt 0-1 Morocco
46. The Egyptians have come flying out of the blocks here and they are really throwing caution to the wind.
Moroccan head coach Vahid Halihadozic would have expected that so he’ll be telling his players to just keep their nerve and ride this early storm.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
45. The injury to Ahmed Hegazey seems to be worst than first feared because he has been unable to return for the second half.
- Ahmed Hegazy – OFF
- Trezeguet – ON
Second half – Egypt 0-1 Morocco
I hope everyone has returned to their devices because Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiyae gets us back under-way!
Should be a more entertaining second half.
First 45 based on numbers
Egypt are leading in the shots on target with two to Morocco’s one and they also have controlled more of the possession at a total of 54%.
However, the statistic that they are not ahead in, is the most important one and that is the score line.
Plenty of work to do for the serial AFCON winners if they are to turn this one around.
Rundown of the opening half
Well that was anti-climax to the half considering the way it started.
Achraf Hakimi supported Kylian MBappe’s accusations of him being the world’s best right back when his driving run forced Ayman Achraf into committing a foul resulting in a penalty only four minutes in.
And after a long VAR check, Sofiane Boufal was finally given the chance to put Morocco ahead which he did.
But after that, bar a couple of shots on target, it wasn’t the fireworks display that we all had hoped for. If anything, there were more dangerous tackles than clear cut chances.
The good thing is that if the 7x AFCON winners want to stay in the tournament, then Egypt are going to have to come out in the second half all guns blazing.
Atlas Lions are in command
Sofiane Boufal’s spot-kick is the difference maker at the break following Ayman Achraf’s reckless challenge in the box on Achraf Hakimi.
Credit: @CAF_Online Half time – Egypt 0-1 Morocco
Not the most fascinating game which was expected in this first 45 but at least we have had a goal to disect.
Advantage Morocco at the interval.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
45+1. Egyptian head coach Carlos Queiroz was originally preparing a substitution for Hegazy but he has decided to wait it out with half-time beckoning.
Two minutes of additional time has been confirmed!
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
43. Play has been paused because Ahmed Hegazy has gone down screaming in agony for a challenge which seemed to have had minimal impact.
However, the Egyptian is rolling around in some pain so he must be hurt.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
41. How disappointing is that?
Omar Mamoush put in a cross which was catching practice for the keeper. Yassine Bounou will take those all day long.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
40. Some fantastic footwork from Mo Salah has earned Egypt a corner.
The Liverpool forward is spare heading the attacks at the moment and is ferociously trying to get his country back on level terms.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
38. Goodness me, that shot was awful.
Achraf Hakimi is normally precise with his shooting, but that attempt on goal was way off target.
The Moroccan talisman just reminded everyone that he is still human.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco – Amallah booking
34. In the mist of the set-piece incident leading up to Hakimi almost doubling Morocco’s lead, Selim Amallah was booked for a reckless challenge just before.
Hakimi strikes it…
Doing what he does best
Achraf Hakimi is becoming a nuisance to the Egyptian defence and here is the reason why Morocco were awarded a penalty.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
32. But to the delight of the Egyptian fans, the PSG full-back’s free-kick goes just wide of the mark.
They cannot let him get too many in those sort of positions because he will score at least one.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco – Free-kick in Hakimi territory!
29. Mohamed Elneny is begging the referee to change his mind on a free-kick awarded to Morocco right on the edge of the box.
Replays have shown that the Arsenal man was correct because he never touched Youssef En-Nesryi but the Egyptian forward outsmarted the officials.
Hakimi steps up ladies and gentleman. I am holding my breath.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco – Kamal yellow card!
25. Egyptian full-back Omar Kamal went sliding in dangerously on Selim Amallah resulting in the defender being the first name to go in the book.
He could have potentially got away with it if he had just returned to his position, but Kamal’s decent towards the free-kick was too aggressive which landed him in trouble.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco – Another huge save from Bounou!
23. Egyptian talisman Mo Salah whipped in a beautiful cross right in the mixer which eventually was headed clear.
But only as far as Ayman Ashraf who had a bullet of a shot from distance and yet again, Yassine Bounou was equal to the shot.
Egypt are really growing into this game which will make the fans a little happier for now.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
22. Some smart thinking by Mo Salah has earned his side another free-kick from the right-hand side which he looks to take himself.
This will be more of an in-swinger but nevertheless, it is still from a threatening position.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco – Big save Bounou!
19. The Moroccan keeper has finally been called into action courtesy of a strike from Mostafa Mohamed from just outside the 18-yard-box.
However, it was straight down the throat of Yassine Bounou who was able to parry the ball to safety.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
17. Such a poor effort from Ayman Ashraf. It didn’t even beat the wall.
That was the midfielder’s chance to make amends for giving away a penalty earlier on.
Egypt 0-1 Morocco
16. Right!
Mo Salah has won his side a free-kick in a position where we have seen them fly in from at this competition.
It’s a pity Egypt don’t have Achraf Hakimi on their side having witnessed what he can do from a dead-ball situation.
Eygpt 0-1 Morocco
14. Amrabat is back to hit feet to the delight of everyone within the Egypt camp but the boss may have to keep an eye on him for a couple of minutes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
