Cabo Verde 2-2 Egypt: Pharaohs stunned by 99th-minute equaliser but both sides reach last 16

Egypt sneaked into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on a night of crazy drama in Group B.

There were four injury-time goals across the two Group B games, with Mozambique scoring twice to draw 2-2 with Ghana. That meant a draw was enough for Egypt to finish second and qualify – but many of their players didn’t know the Ghana score and were crestfallen when Cabo Verde equalised in the 99th minute.

Despite dominating the first half, Egypt went behind to a clinical finish from Gilson Tavares just before the break. The half-time substitute Trezeguet equalised almost immediately with a beautifully worked goal, and Egypt pushed for the winner that would guarantee a place in the knockout stages.

They thought they had found it when Mostafa Mohamed lobbed coolly over Vozinha in the 91st minute, but the drama was only beginning. There was a VAR check for handball against Mohamed, with the referee going to the monitor before awarding the goal.

Some of the Egypt players were on the cusp of tears at that point. A few more joined them, for very different reasons, when Bryan Teixeira scored a nonchalant equaliser. But the final whistle brought confirmation of Ghana’s result, and the sweetest relief for Egypt.

Mo Salah went through a gazillion emotions as he watched on from the sidelines, desperate for Egypt to reach the knockout stages. But there is now a major doubt whether Salah will play again in this year’s competition – even if Egypt go all the way to the final.

Salah’s agent said today that he could be out for up to 28 days with the injury he suffered against Ghana last week. With the final less than three weeks away, his chances don’t look great.

The former Aston Villa forward came on at half-time and grabbed the game by the scruff. He almost scored within 30 seconds, then did equalise a few minutes later with a thrilling goal.

Trezeguet was a man on a mission from the momenet he came onto the field: he blasted just wide shortly after his goal, then set up what Egypt thought was the winner from Mostafa Mohamed.

Nobody can fully replace Mo Salah, but Trezeguet was Egypt’s talisman in the second half. It will be a huge surprise if he doesn’t start their last-16 match.

Cabo Verde: Vozinha 7, Semedo 7, Diney 7, Costa 7, Dylan Tavares 7, Rocha Santos 6, Lenini 6, Andrade 6, Mendes 7, Gilson Tavares 7, Rodrigues 6.
Subs: Monteiro 6, Cuca 6, Joao Paulo 6, Teixeira 8, Moreira 6.

Egypt El Shenawy 6, Zizo 6, Hegazy 7, Hany 6, Abdelmonem 7, Fatouh 6, Fathi 6, Attia 6, Mohamed 7, Ashour 8, Marmoush 6.
Subs: Hamdy 6, Kahraba 6, Gabasky 6, Trezeguet 8.

Cabo Verde take the lead with their first shot on target! It was a superb finish from Gilson Tavares, aka Benchimol, who controlled De Graca's header across the area and rattled a shot on the turn past Elshenawy. My word. The camera cuts to Mo Salah, head bowed, wondering what on earth is going on. If it stays like this Egypt will be at the mercy of results in the other groups. It wasn't supposed to be like this.

The substitute Trezeguet equalises with a superb goal! He collected a half-cleared corner on the edge of the area, played a slick one-two with Hegazy and slapped a volley through Vozinha at the near post. That was sheer delightful football.

Egypt are into the last 16! Trezeguet's long ball forward found its way through to Mostafa Mohamed, who lobbed the ball calmly over Vozinha! That's such a cool finish under pressure.

Did Mohamed handle the ball before lobbing it into the net? I think it came off his chest, but his arm was outstretched. Meanwhile, Mozambique have scored twice in injury time to draw level with Ghana, so as things stand it doesn't matter when Mohamed's goal is disallowed or not. The goal is given anyway!

Cabo Verde have equalised in the ninth added minute! It won't affect Egypt's progress - they are guaranteed to finish second in the group - but it's another twist on a night of absurd drama. Willy Semedo's cross was pushed away to the substitute Teixeira, who walked calmly round the keeper to score from a tight angle. The Egypt players look devastated; they have no idea that they are going through. This is bonkers.

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