Senegal won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt in a penalty shootout on Sunday (February 6) at the Paul Biya Stadium in Olembe. Senegal controlled the first half of the game but wasted many opportunities, including a penalty. Oppositely, Egypt came back strong in the second half. However, the match finished in a 0-0 draw, with no goals scored in extra time. Senegal won the AFCON Championship for the first time with a 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout. The match report of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 final is discussed in this article.
Africa Cup of Nations 2021 Final Match Report: Senegal vs Egypt
It was a showdown between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, two Liverpool stars. In the end, Mane's Senegal defeated Salah's Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. Their previous best finish was runner-up in the 2002 and 2019 competitions. After 120 minutes of play, the game ended with a score of 0-0. Senegal players held their nerve in the penalty shootout to defeat Egypt 4-2 in the final at the Paul Biya Stadium in Cameroon on Sunday.
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Mohanad Ahmed Abdelmoneim's penalty was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, while Mohamed Abdel Meneam's attempt struck the post. The remainder of Egypt's penalty takers scored.
On the other hand, Egyptian keeper Abou Gabal stopped Bouna Sarr's penalty kicks. However, other penalty takers did not waste their chances, and Sadio Mane scored the game-winning goal.
Senegal had earlier started the game with a lot of intensity, pressing Egyptian defenders hard. They earned a penalty within four minutes. However, Egyptian goalkeeper Abou Gabal stopped Sadio Mane's strike. He was outstanding throughout the game, saving at least five great chances to keep Egypt in the match. Oppositely, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy stopped two good chances.
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Senegal played well for the most part in the first half. However, Egypt roared back in the second half and continued to press the Senegalese defense. Both teams squandered chances, including in extra time. As the game neared penalties, clear chances were sparse.
Fans in Senegal were frustrated as their team failed to win the tournament in 2019, losing in the final to Algeria. This victory without a doubt Senegal's greatest accomplishment in football history.
Egypt have won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times. Besides, Cameroon have been victorious five times, Ghana four times, and Nigeria three times.
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Senegal vs Egypt AFCON 2021 Final Match Statistics
The finalist in the tournament Senegal had more ball possessions than Egypt. According to the match statistics, Senegal dominated 58 percent of the ball possessions, while Egypt controlled 42 percent.
Egypt completed 404 passes, while Senegal completed 535. Both sides had comparable passing accuracy, but Senegal outperformed Egypt in this area. Senegal had an 81 percent passing accuracy, whereas Egypt had a 76 percent passing accuracy.
Senegal was called for 23 fouls, while Egypt committed 30 fouls. Senegal was shown four yellow cards, while Egypt was shown two.
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Aftermath
The Senegalese side was pumped up from the start of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 Final and the best team eventually won the championship. Egyptian goalkeeper Abou Gabal was one of the finest performers of the final, who kept Egypt in the game until the last minute. The match would not have progressed to the penalty shootout if he hadn't stopped many genuine chances. However, Senegal emerged victorious in the shootout. Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Senegal was named player of the tournament, while his compatriot Edouard Mendy of Chelsea was named best goalkeeper. Cameroonian striker, Vincent Aboubakar was the tournament's top scorer with eight goals.