Mohamed Salah Misses Out on AFCON Final as Sadio Mane Leads Senegal to Victory Over Egypt

Senegal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Egypt to sneak into the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in a match played at the Tangier Grand Stadium in Tangier, Morocco.

Historically, the two sides are remarkably evenly matched at the Africa Cup of Nations, having met five times with both teams securing two victories and sharing one draw.

Their most significant encounter came in the 2021 final, where Senegal finally broke their tournament curse by defeating the Pharaohs in a tense penalty shootout to claim their first-ever title.

While Egypt holds a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record with seven wins to Senegal’s six, recent history has leaned heavily toward the Lions of Teranga.

The match began at a measured pace, with neither side asserting early dominance, although Egypt picked up the first yellow card just minutes into the contest.

Egypt came close to opening the scoring in the 10th minute, but Senegal’s alert defence reacted quickly to block the effort.

Senegal suffered an early scare when one of Sadio Mané’s teammates went down injured around the same time, but he received prompt treatment and was able to continue as light rain began to fall.

The physical nature of the game soon showed, with Senegal also entering the referee’s book in the 17th minute after Kalidou Koulibaly’s mistimed challenge conceded a free kick just outside the box, though Egypt failed to capitalise.

Nicolas Jackson had Senegal’s first real chance in the 18th minute, but his effort drifted wide. Koulibaly’s night ended early when he was forced off in the 24th minute due to recurring leg discomfort after twice requiring attention on the pitch.

Both sides continued to threaten as the half progressed. Senegal went close in the 27th minute, only for Egypt’s defence to remain resolute.

Another opportunity followed in the 30th minute, but the ball fell comfortably into the goalkeeper’s hands. Sadio Mané nearly set up Jackson in the 34th minute, yet the Egyptian goalkeeper reacted sharply to smother the danger.

Senegal earned a corner in the 38th minute, but it failed to produce a breakthrough. Egypt had a late chance in the 44th minute, only for the ball to be diverted away inside the box, before a free kick in the final minute of the half passed harmlessly through as both sides went into the break level.

The second half began at a cautious tempo, with both sides focusing on their tactical approach as they searched for a breakthrough before time ran out.

Senegal earned a corner in the 51st minute following sustained pressure, but the delivery failed to trouble the Egyptian defence.

The Lions of Teranga were then awarded two more corners in quick succession, yet neither produced a meaningful chance. Egypt attempted to respond on the counter, only to be halted by a well-timed intervention from an alert Senegalese defender.

Egypt attempted to respond on the counter, only to be halted by a well-timed intervention from an alert Senegalese defender. Senegal carved out a flurry of chances approaching the 70th minute, but none yielded a breakthrough.

Egypt also showed attacking intent, with Mohamed Salah launching several efforts that were firmly dealt with by the resolute Senegalese defence.

The Lions of Teranga earned another corner in the 70th minute, but once again failed to capitalise. Moments later, however, Senegal finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, with Sadio Mané firing decisively into the back of the net.

Senegal had an opportunity to double their advantage in the 80th minute, but the effort drifted wide of the target. Egypt responded with a substitution as they pushed for an equaliser, earning a corner shortly after, though the delivery failed to trouble the Senegalese defence.

As time began to run out, Egypt grew increasingly desperate for an equaliser, committing numbers forward and spending sustained periods pressing deep inside the Senegalese half. However, their efforts were not enough as Senegal claimed the 1-0 victory.