◤Africa Cup of Nations◢ Sadio Mané scores as Senegal reach the final with a 1-0 win over Egypt..

Senegal narrowly defeated Egypt 1-0 in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final at the Grand Stade de Tangier in Morocco on Wednesday to advance to the final.

In the first half, Koulibaly was forced off injured, and both sides created few scoring opportunities. In the second half, Mané scored with a long-range shot. Ultimately, this match, featuring two Liverpool legends, Mané and Mohamed Salah, ended with Senegal securing a 1-0 victory over Egypt and advancing to the final.

First Half

In the 6th minute, Hossam Abdelmaguid received a yellow card for a malicious foul on Nicolas Jackson, becoming the first player to be penalized in the match.

Ten minutes later, Kalidou Koulibaly received a yellow card for a malicious foul on Omar Marmoush, who dribbling with the ball at the attacking third.

Nine minutes later, Senegal launched a quick counter-attack. Sadio Mané passes horizontally from the left wing after intercepting the ball. Nicolas Jackson quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before taking a right-footed long shot from just outside the penalty area, but his shot flew high out of the pitch.

In the 20th minute, Kalidou Koulibaly inexplicably collapsed in pain without any contact and was substituted off three minutes later.

Eleven minutes later, Jackson passes horizontally from the attacking third. Habib Diarra quickly followed up, stopped the ball and adjusted his angles, before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Mohamed El-Shenawy.

In the 32nd minute, Mané passes horizontally from the byline at the left wing. Idrissa Gana Gueye quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the left side of the box before volleying with his right foot, but his shot was saved by El-Shenawy.

At halftime, the score was 0-0 between Senegal and Egypt.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 46th minute, Gana Gueye maliciously tackled Emam Ashour from behind near the midfield center circle but escaped any punishment, sparking controversy!

Eleven minutes later, Mané passed the ball back diagonally from the byline at the left wing. Lamine Camara quickly followed up and stopped the ball before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by El-Shenawy.

In the 78th minute, Gana Gueye passes horizontally from the left wing. Camara quicklt followed up and stopped the ball before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penaly area. His shot was initially blocked and cleared off not far away by Marwan Attia. After picking up the loose ball, Sadio Mané slammed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net with a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, leaving El-Shenawy out of reach. Senegal broke the deadlock first to take a 1-0 lead! This is the former Liverpool legendary No. 10's 52nd goal for his national team! He also became the first player to reach 20 goal involvement (11 goals and 9 assists) in AFCON history on record!

Six minutes later, Egypt won a corner opportunity. Zizo took the corner by crossing it into the box. Mostafa Mohamed rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort flew high out of the pitch.

In the 5th minute of stoppage time, Zizo passes horizontally from the attacking third. Marmoush stopped the ball before taking a right-footed long shot from just outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Édouard Mendy.

When the final whistle is blown, Senegal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Egypt.