Egypt pay the penalty for lack of a killer touch

Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal missed his penalty in the shoot-out as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recorded an epic 8-7 victory after a tense 1-1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash in San Pedro on Sunday.

Abou Gabal clipped the crossbar with his effort and then opposite number Lionel Mpasi scored against him as record seven-time winners Egypt bowed out at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, sparking jubilant scenes for the Congolese, who will now play Guinea in the quarterfinals in Abidjan on Friday.

Meschack Elia gave DRC the lead in the game when he headed in virtually on the goal line, but the advantage lasted nine minutes before Mostafa Mohamed scored his fourth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime.

Egypt midfielder Mohamed Hamdy received a red card in extra time, after which the Pharaohs, without injured talisman Mohamed Salah, stopped attacking and held on as the game went to a shoot-out.

The last time DRC beat Egypt in a Cup of Nations clash was in the semifinals 50 years ago when they went on to lift the trophy.

It was a fourth draw in a row for both sides in Ivory Coast in 2024, while for Egypt it was the sixth in a row dating back to the last tournament in Cameroon and the fifth extra-time in succession in knockout games.

That lack of a killer touch came back to haunt Egypt as they could not finish the game in the 90 minutes, and once Hamdy received his marching orders it was always going to be a battle in the sweltering heat of San Pedro.

DRC took the lead on 37 minutes when Yoann Wissa’s deflected cross from the left was headed over the line by Elia. The goal emanated from a quick throw-in, which Egypt felt should have been theirs, and as such were slow to react when the Congolese restarted play.

But Egypt levelled in first-half injury time when Congolese defender Dylan Batubinsika struck the face of Ahmed Hegazi with an extended arm during an aerial duel in the penalty box, and a spot-kick was awarded after a VAR review.

In the absence of Salah, Mohamed stepped up confidently to convert and net his fourth goal of the tournament, though he would later miss in the shoot-out. Mohamed became the first Egyptian player to score in their first four matches at a Cup of Nations finals, and the third to score in four matches overall after Ali Abo Gresha (1974) and Gedo (2010).

DRC striker Cedric Bakambu turned a cross wide of the post when well placed early in the second half, and Chancel Mbemba headed over moments later as the game went to extra time and ultimately spot-kicks.

Reuters