An impeccable penalty shoot-out put Egypt through to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, Mohamed Salah converting the fifth successful spot-kick in Douala to confirm a meeting with Morocco. After a tight two goalless hours against Ivory Coast, a single save in the penalty roulette by Egypt’s substitute goalkeeper Mohamed Abou ‘Gabaski’ Gabal, from Eric Bailly, ultimately made the difference.
Poor Bailly. He had been outstanding. Such high stakes can make the very best players tentative, and there was palpable nervousness, especially in the opening 45 minutes — even in Salah. Partly, it was the pressure of the occasion. Clearly, a mistrust of the playing surface preyed on minds. The Japoma Stadium has developed a notoriety for its uneven bounce and unstable turf through the tournament, Ivory Coast suffering particularly badly during their group-phase draw with Sierra Leone.
Salah was confounded by a couple of erratic diversions of the ball early on. For a footballer so accustomed to exploiting his featherlight touch and close control, there’s an evident frustration when the grass becomes an opponent almost as challenging as the excellent Bailly, a towering presence in the Ivorian defence up until the penalty shoot-out.
But Salah is nothing if not inventive. Hence the high, dipping lob he launched from distance, and which surprised Ivorian goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare who needed to tip over the bar. It was one of several Sangare saves to keep out long-range efforts, including a speculative one arrowed in from distance by Omar Marmoush and a crisp volley from Salah.
Come the second half, there would, at last, be a classic Salah dribble to savour. It lifted the Pharaohs. Moments later, another Salah surge and cross invited Amr El Solia to shoot but he wasted the opportunity.
Egypt were gaining momentum. Their goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy had kept out an acrobatic Ibrahim Sangare volley, a snapshot from Sebastien Haller, and would react with agility to push a Haller header over the crossbar. But Ivory Coast had suffered a significant setback, Franck Kessie, the governor of their powerful midfield, withdrew, clutching his rib during the first half.
Player ratings
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IVORY COAST RATINGS: Badra Ali Sangare 8 - Kept concentration in the 30 degree heat and dealt with the majority of Egypt's attempts with comfort. No nonsense from the Cote d’Ivoire man between the sticks. Unlucky not to make any saves in the shootout. AFP -
Serge Aurier 6 - The captain could have been more accurate with his crosses. No notable mistakes in defence, which is always a good thing for players at the back. EPA -
Eric Bailly 7 - Defended confidently and produced one of the passes of the match to release put Haller, but the forward couldn’t react quick enough. Despite a great game overall, his penalty was too easy to save in the shootout. AFP -
Simon Deli 7 - An impressive performance at the heart of the defence saw Deli committed to his challenges as he and Bailly reacted quickly to shut down Egypt’s pacey attack. AFP -
Ghislain Konan 7 - Handled the threat of Mohamed Salah well by getting touch tight without overcommitting to let him slip by. AFP -
Franck Kessie 6 - Forced off early in the first half with what looked to be a rib injury. EPA -
Jean Michael Seri 5 - The midfielder was wasteful with possession at times, giving away the ball needlessly that allowed Egypt to transition quickly into counter-attacks. AFP -
Ibrahim Sangare 7 - A well crafted set piece saw Sangare head the ball on into the danger zone but Haller couldn’t direct it past El Shenawy. A solid game all-round for the midfielder who took his penalty calmly in the shootout. AFP -
Nicolas Pepe 6 - Attacked with flair down the channels but Egypt looked to crowd the Arsenal man out quickly. His support could have been quicker to avoid him being isolated. An effort in the second half was too timid to trouble the goalkeeper. AFP -
Sebastien Haller 6 - Was limited by Egypt’s defence but should have done much better with his header that wasn’t directed well enough from Sangare’s flick on. EPA -
Max Gradel 7 - A confident display saw Gradel challenge the defenders and he did ask a question of the goalkeeper before being eventually replaced in the 70th minute. AP Photo -
SUB: Wilfried Zaha (Gradel, 71) - Almost won the game late on but saw his left footed effort denied by El Shenawy. AP Photo -
SUB: Jeremie Boga (Seri, 71) - Anonymous when introduced, too often careless with the ball on the occasions he did get it. AFP -
SUB: Maxwel Cornet (Haller 105) - On for Haller ahead of the final period of extra time. Made no mistake with his penalty. Reuters -
SUB: Serey Die (Kessie 30) 6 - There didn’t seem to be too much drop off in quality when Die came on for Kessie despite the reputations. The midfielder hassled Egypt’s attack and tried to cool down the tempo when he had possession for Cote d’Ivoire. AFP -
Mohamed El Shenawy 9 - A crucial save close to the break kept out Ibrahim Sangare’s acrobatic effort from inside the box, keeping the scores level. And the Egypt goalkeeper did the same in the second half, palming Haller’s header away from close-range. Forced off with an injury late in the second half after saving Zaha’s strike. AFP -
Ahmed Fatouh 7 - Was aware of Nicolas Pepe looking to use his left foot and defended astutely against him. A solid display. AFP -
Mohamed Abdelmonem 7 - Often in the way of Cote d’Ivoire attacks despite being faced with a number of tricky attackers. Looked assured alongside Hegazy. EPA -
Ahmed Hegazy 7 - Enjoyed a physical battle with Sebastien Haller and looked to get tight to stop him getting the ball under control. Reuters -
Omar Kamal 8 - Didn’t look like he would be beaten and was aggressive in the tackle. The 28-year-old, who plays his football in the Egyptian Premier League, often got the better of his man. Reuters -
Hamdi Fathi 7 - Broke up play in the middle of the pitch and was neat in possession without taking many risks. EPA -
Amr Soleya 6 - Had time when he was picked out by Salah but he got the finish all wrong, blazing it way over the bar. AP Photo -
Omar Marmoush 7 - Didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger with the goal in sight and came agonisingly close when taking advantage of a wayward pass, smashing the ball off the crossbar. AFP -
Mohamed Elneny 7 - Plugged the open gaps in defence and kept things simple when going forward. Almost picked up an assist with a precise ball to Trezeguet. Reuters -
Mostafa Mohamed 6 - Worked hard as the central man in Egypt’s frontline but his efforts rarely troubled the goalkeeper. A reaction effort was saved comfortably at the near post in the first half while his second chance cleared the bar. AFP -
Mohamed Salah 7 - The Liverpool star looked calm in possession and looked likely to make things happen when he had time. Despite making some good runs in behind, his teammates lacked the vision and execution to pick him out. Scored the winning penalty yet again with all the pressure on his shoulders. AFP -
SUB: Trezeguet (Marmoush 71) - Almost scored instantly after being introduced, but his shot sailed just wide of the post. AP Photo -
SUB: Zizo (Fathi 84) - Ran tirelessly when introduced and asked a question of the goalkeeper from range to force a save. Scored his penalty in the shootout emphatically with a stutter-step and strike into the top corner. AFP -
SUB: Gabaski (El Shenawy 88) - On after Egypt’s starting goalkeeper picked up a hamstring injury. Pulled off a superb save against Sangare. Produced a big save against Bailly in the shootout that proved decisive. -
SUB: Mohamed Sherif (Mostafa Mohamed 91) - Almost hit the target with a header, taking a strong challenge in the process. AP
Their wingers, another forte, had been engaged only intermittently. When they replaced one Max Gradel, who had started at outside left, with another, Wilfried Zaha, they swapped Gradel’s low impact for Zaha’s hot temper. The Crystal Palace man was booked at the end of his abrasive 50 minutes on the field.
Egypt brought on Trezeguet, who immediately zipped an effort across the Ivory Coast goal. But close to the end of the 90 minutes, they were required to make a substitution manager Carlos Queiroz would never have chosen.
El Shenawy had just pulled off a fine double save, blocking a Zaha drive and scooping the ricochet clear of Haller when he indicated a muscle strain. He had been named the best keeper of the tournament’s group phase; Egypt would depend on a back-up gloveman, Gabaski, for the rest of their tense tussle for a place in the last eight.
Gabaski was called on to make a fine, athletic leap to deny Ibrahim Sangare, after Trezeguet, Mohamed Sherif and Zizo had gone close for Egypt and Trezeguet skied an angled attempt having been deftly set up by Salah. When Badra Sangare safely clutched another Trezeguet shot after 120 minutes of attrition, penalties beckoned.
