Sadio Mane scored the decisive spot-kick
Senegal lifted the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations title after beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties in Sunday’s final at the Olembe Stadium.
Mohamed Abdelmonem gave away a penalty in the fourth minute when he slid in and fouled Saliou Ciss. Sadio Mane grabbed the ball, but he wasn’t able to convert as his spot-kick was saved – after Mohamed Salah told Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski which way his Liverpool teammate likes to go.
Several chances were squandered throughout normal time, but both teams were more than happy for the game to go to extra-time and, if needed, penalties.
SENEGAL ARE AFCON CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3msSnDo2iB
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 6, 2022
Senegal dominated the first period of extra-time and forced Gabaski into making a number of smart saves to keep the score level.
Bamba Dieng found himself on the end of Mane’s inviting through ball, but the substitute wasn’t able to beat the Egypt shot-stopper who did well to push the ball away from the goal.
Gabaski made another vital save just minutes later as he again denied Dieng from close range, despite his effort threatening to sneak into at the far post.
The second period of extra-time started quietly, but saw a frantic ending as both sides had good chances to win the game and the tournament. Both Gabaski and Edouard Mendy were required to make stunning saves respectively to keep the game level at 0-0.
After a goalless 120 minutes, the game went to penalties – with Senegal’s talisman Mane, who missed a spot-kick in normal time, scoring the decisive penalty to win the Africa Cup of Nations for Senegal for the first time in the country’s history.
Sadio Mane wins #AFCON2021 for Senegal 🏆
The first time in the country’s history 👏pic.twitter.com/vCpfVk0hy1
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 6, 2022
Related links:
- André Onana makes major error in AFCON third-place play-off
- Vincent Aboubakar in no mood to talk about Mo Salah again after AFCON defeat
- AFCON ref claims he ‘could have died from heatstroke’ during Tunisia vs Mali game
