Egypt’s 2-1 win over Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon on Sunday was the first time the country had played a game of football. Morocco fell into the trap of defensive withdrawal, abandoning the possession that had been their strength in previous games. The Atlas Lions lost the psychological battle against the Pharaohs, who were more fiery and fierce, but above all more experienced.
The revenge did not happen on Sunday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde, where Morocco experienced the same scenario in 2017 in Gabon, when they were sent off by Egypt in the quarter-finals. For this crucial Arab derby, coach Vahid Halilhodziç opted for an attack-minded starting XI, fielding players who tend to hog the ball in the middle line (Selim Amallah and Aymane Barkouk), in addition to Soufiane Boufal and Mounir El Haddadi in attack. However, the national team completely lost its bearings and was never able to manage its scoring advantage from the 6th minute. Instead of developing their usual game to exploit their strengths to the maximum, Morocco has, for the first time of the CAN Cameroon 2021, given up possession (55% in favor of Egypt) to try to defend its meager gain. This decision had chaotic consequences, as the midfield line showed all its limits during Sunday’s 120 minutes, while the Moroccan defence finally cracked after having pushed back the danger for a long time.
A poorly managed scoring advantage
The hostilities started very early, thanks to a sprint by Achraf Hakimi on the right flank. The PSG defender was set up by Sofyan Amrabat, but was brought down by Aymane Achraf in the Pharaohs’ area in the third minute. The referee Maguette Ndiaye initially refused to award the penalty, but after reviewing the VAR footage he awarded it. Soufiane Boufal then converted without hesitation (6th), catching goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal off guard. Egypt’s first threat came in the 20th minute, when Aymane Ashraf’s 35-yard shot forced a save from Yassine Bounou. Egypt gained ground before the half-hour mark, taking advantage of Amrabat’s mistakes in the build-up, but the Moroccan defence managed the pressure without wavering. Bounou did well to keep out another Ahmed Fattoh close-range shot in the 25th minute, giving his side the confidence they needed. Morocco regained some balance, even if the opening goal distorted the Lions’ game. Amallah and Co. were mostly in charge of defensive duties, as the Egyptians hogged the ball in search of an equaliser. After a handful of tough duels and some timid Egyptian attempts, the first half ended in favour of the Atlas Lions (1-0).
Salah stands out from the crowd and takes Egypt to the semi-finals
The second half started logically with the Pharaohs pressing forward. After coming on after half-time, Trezeguet tried his luck in the 49th minute after a service from Salah, but his shot went wide of the right post. The Egyptians then forced their way down the flanks and opted for corners, which eventually led to an equaliser (Mohamed Salah scoring in the 54th minute). In the 62nd minute, captain Romain Saïss saved Morocco from a second imminent goal, thanks to a winning tackle that deprived Omar Marmouch of a one-on-one with Bounou. Vahid Halilhodziç then reacted to reinvigorate a sluggish forward line, replacing Soufiane Boufal with Soufiane Rahimi on 66 minutes. The change paid off and Morocco finally found their way back into the Egyptian goal, with El Haddadi’s direct free-kick being saved by Abou Gabal in the 77th minute. Nayef Aguerd hit the crossbar from a sublime cross by Selim Amallah (80th). Ryan Maee and Imran Louza joined the game (in place of Ennesyri and Amallah) in the 88th minute to boost the attack in extra time. The extra time started with the same intensity and attempts from both sides. In the 100th minute, Mohamed Salah again made a breakthrough, beating Nayef Aguerd to the ball and feeding Trezeguet, who scored with his flat foot (2-1). The die was cast and Morocco were still packing their bags at the quarter-final stage.
After Hervé Renard in 2018, Carlos Queiros takes on Vahid Halilhodziç in Yaoundé
Egypt, who have been a continental powerhouse for the past decade, made the most of their experience and determination, exploiting the slightest opportunity and playing on the nerves of their opponents with intelligence. It was the same coach Carlos Queiros, who had already won against the Lions in 2013 with South Africa and then at the 2018 Russia World Cup against Herve Renard (1-0 for Iran), who confirmed his superiority against Morocco. Vahid Halilhodziç, for his part, should certainly have regrets after this match. His choices in the starting line-up and during the match did not make it easy for the players on the pitch. Now, even his choices made well before the CAN will be questioned, since the time of reckoning will come soon after this failure.
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