Senegal secured their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after narrowly defeating Egypt 1–0 in a tense semi-final clash, with Sadio Mané scoring the decisive goal in the 78th minute.
The highly anticipated match lived up to expectations as both teams showcased their strengths in a tightly contested encounter marked by tactical discipline and defensive resilience. Egypt, the seven-time champions, dominated possession for significant portions of the game, while Senegal relied on their physicality and quick transitions to create counter-attacking opportunities.
The breakthrough came late in the second half when Mané, Senegal’s star player, capitalised on a chance inside the penalty area to fire home the winning goal, igniting celebrations among the Senegalese bench and supporters. Despite Egypt’s attempts to find an equaliser in the closing minutes, the Pharaohs struggled to break through Senegal’s steadfast defence.
Senegal’s backline held strong under pressure, preserving the narrow lead and achieving a memorable victory over one of the tournament’s most decorated teams. This result extends Senegal’s impressive run in the competition and keeps their hopes alive for another continental title.
The Teranga Lions will now await the outcome of the second semi-final, where hosts Morocco will face Nigeria. Senegal could potentially face either the home crowd advantage of Morocco or a resurgent Nigerian side in the final, setting the stage for an exciting climax to AFCON 2025.
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