Mane had earlier seen a seventh-minute spot-kick saved by Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski, who had taken advice from Mane’s Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah before the penalty kick.
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Sadio Mane scored the decisive penalty as Senegal beat Egypt on penalties to lift the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations title in Olembe on Sunday. The Liverpool forward had earlier seen a seventh-minute spot-kick saved by Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski, who had taken advice from Mane’s Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah before the penalty kick. Both sides had chances but they couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of football. Gabaski made three good saves from Senegal’s Bamba Dieng in extra time.
?? ????????? ?? ?????? ?? #TeamSenegal CLAIM THEIR FIRST-EVER #TotalEnergiesAFCON TITLE ?
HISTORY WRITTEN BY THE #AFCON2021 LIONS OF TERANGA ? #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | @Fsfofficielle pic.twitter.com/YbEnudEvmF
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 ? (@CAF_Online) February 6, 2022
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it at Paul Biya Stadium. The Liverpool striker smashed the ball past Gabaski and into the bottom corner to spark wild Senegal celebrations as they sealed AFCON triumph at the third time of asking after missing out in 2002 and 2019.
Meanwhile Egypt missed out on a record-extending eighth continental crown that would also have been a first for Salah. “It just shows that if you work hard, if you persevere, you will get what you want,” Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said.
“I am very emotional because the people of Senegal have wanted this trophy for 60 years.”
Cisse was the captain of Senegal in 2002 when they lost the final on penalties to Cameroon after a goalless draw, having missed his kick in the shootout. Meanwhile Egypt captain Salah was heartbroken for a second time, having also lost the 2017 final to Cameroon.
Senegal played free-flowing attacking football while Egypt sat back and defended deep. The West Africans were the first to threaten the goal when Abdelmonem lunged in to Senegal left-back Saliou Ciss in the fourth minute. There was no hesitation from referee Victor Gomes, who pointed to the spot to hand Senegal an early chance of the lead.
Mane had words with Gabaski before placing the ball on the spot. But the 29-year-old blasted his attempt just to the left of the centre, Gabaski dived the right way and punched the ball clear. Senegal dominated the early stages of the game but couldn’t pose any major threat to the Egypt goal.
Meanwhile at the other end, Salah tested Mendy twice. First he went on a trademark jinking run before his low shot was comfortably saved by Mendy. And then, just before the break, the Chelsea goalkeeper had to alert to keep out a Salah’s shot which was heading for the top corner.
The second half followed a similar pattern as Senegal continued to attack while Egypt played the defensive game. Mane and Diedhiou were denied by Gabaski in quick succession. At the other end, Marwan Hamdi flashed a header wide.
As the game grew to a close, chances became few and far between as both sides canceled each other out. In the first period of extra time, Gabaski palmed away a powerful drive from Bamba Dieng.
Penalty kicks were eventually required and Abdelmonem struck the post before Gabaski kept out Bouna Sarr’s effort. Mendy then denied Lasheen to allow Mane the chance to win a create history for Senegal.
