Senegal 1-0 Egypt: Report, result and goals as Mane goal knocks Salah out

Senegal secured a 1-0 win over Egypt to secure their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The opening minutes in Tangier were scrappy, with both sides contesting the ball and dominance in the game.

Early fouls from Omar Marmoush and Idrissa Gana Gueye set the tone, while Senegal looked to use the movement of Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane to stretch Egypt’s defensive line.

Egypt, meanwhile, relied on Mohamed Salah and Marmoush to carry the ball forward during more transitional moments.

Senegal generated the first attacking sequence of note in the seventh minute, earning a corner after pressure down the right.

Habib Diarra’s resulting effort from distance drifted wide, setting a pattern of speculative attempts from outside the penalty area.

The first half was repeatedly disrupted by injuries. Kalidou Koulibaly required treatment on two separate occasions following heavy challenges, eventually leaving the pitch in the 23rd minute.

He was replaced by Mamadou Sarr, forcing an early reshuffle in Senegal’s defence. Nicolas Jackson and Hossam Abdelmaguid also received treatment after a collision.

Senegal continued to probe from range, with Jackson firing over after being set up by Mane in the 19th minute.

Shortly after, Pape Gueye tested Mohamed El Shenawy with a low drive from the left side of the area, which the Egypt goalkeeper handled comfortably.

Habib Diarra followed with another long-range attempt that was saved, as Senegal maintained territorial pressure without converting it into a lead.

Egypt’s attacking moments were more sporadic. Marmoush won several free kicks in advanced areas, while Salah drew fouls along the right wing, but delivery into the box lacked consistency.

A late corner conceded by Yasser Ibrahim gave Senegal another opportunity before the break, though it came to nothing.

Mane’s moment

Both managers made changes at the interval. Senegal introduced Lamine Camara in midfield, while Egypt brought on Trezeguet to add width on the left.

Senegal’s best spell came between the 56th and 58th minutes. Camara forced a low save from El Shenawy, followed by a sequence of corners that kept Egypt pinned back.

The moment came in the 78th minute. After sustained possession on the edge of the area, Sadio Mane received the ball outside the box and struck a shot that settled in the bottom corner, sparking scenes of celebration around the stadium.

Following the goal, Senegal shifted into a more conservative shape. Ismaila Sarr and Cherif Ndiaye were introduced to provide defensive coverage and outlet options on the break.

Egypt increased their urgency, committing more players forward and delivering more crosses into the area.

In the closing stages, Egypt came closest to equalising through Marmoush and Zizo. Marmoush forced Edouard Mendy into a low save in stoppage time, while Zizo had a follow-up attempt blocked moments later.

Mostafa Mohamed also headed over from a corner as Egypt pressed during the five minutes of added time.

Despite late pressure, Senegal managed the final moments effectively, winning fouls in defensive areas and limiting Egypt to long-range efforts, eventually earning their final berth.