Egypt benefited from astonishing stoppage-time drama elsewhere in Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the round of 16 despite conceding a 99th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with group winners Cape Verde.
Facing a nervous wait at 1-1 to see whether they could claim one of the berths for the tournament’s four best third-placed teams, the Pharaohs what they thought would prove a stunning 93rd-minute winner from Mostafa Mohamed.
They then allowed substitute Bryan Teixeira to earn already-qualified Cape Verde a 2-2 draw in the 99th minute. But Egypt — who drew 2-2 in all three group games — went through second courtesy of Ghana’s injury-time collapse, in which the Black Stars squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Mozambique.
Even without the injured Mohamed Salah — who returns to Liverpool after this match for treatment on his muscle injury — Egypt were favourites against Cape Verde, but they fell behind on the stroke of half-time when Gilson Tavares swivelled and scored superbly. Former Aston Villa forward Trezeguet was introduced at the break and levelled things up on 50 minutes, before Mohamed’s stunning control and volley put them ahead.
Teixeira then scored to make it 2-2, but that goal changed nothing for the complexion of the group, where Ghana’s late collapse allowed Egypt to finish second despite not even winning a game.
Full-time. 2-2!
Egypt have done it. 2-2 against Group B winners Cape Verde proves enough for them, with Ghana crashing out after squandering a two-goal lead against Mozambique. Astonishing drama in stoppage time there!
