AFCON 2021: Salah takes center stage as Egypt reach semifinals

Mohamed Salah was the star of the show for Egypt as they claimed a 2-1 victory over North African rivals Morocco in their AFCON 2021 Quarterfinal match after extra time.

Egypt were basking in the euphoria of their penalty shootout win over Ivory Coast in the Round of 16 as they came into their quarterfinal clash against one of their rivals from North Africa.

Morocco stunned Egypt at the start of the game from the penalty spot as early as in the sixth minute through Sofiane Boufal. The Atlas Lions were awarded the penalty after Achraf Hakimi was brought down in the box following a brilliant surging run down.

Egypt were roused after the Morocco goal, and they grew into the game as they looked to draw themselves level.

The Pharaohs had to wait until the second half for their equaliser, and it eventually came from the boot of captain Mohamed Salah in the 53rd minute.

A corner from the left flank was met by defender Mohamed AbdulMoneim, who saw his effort saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but Salah was on hand to tap home the rebound from close range and pull Egypt back level.

Neither side could find a winner in normal time and both sides went into extra time to decide the winner.

Egypt went ahead in the first half of extra time after some brilliant work from Salah in the 100th minute of the game.

The winger picked up the ball on the right flank and proceeded to twist and turn Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd before laying a brilliant low cross which Aston Villa forward Mahmoud Trezeguet fired home from close range.

Egypt managed to hold on to their advantage as they closed out the game to book their semifinal berth against hosts Cameroon. The Pharaohs will look to claim a record-extending eighth AFCON title at the expense of their hosts and bitter rivals.