AFCON 2021: Senegal defeat Egypt on penalties to win trophy

Senegal have finally won the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in their history.

The Teranga Lions defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the final on Sunday,

Both teams failed to score after 120 minutes of football.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made a fourth-round save to hand Senegal the advantage, and Liverpool talisman Sadio Mane converted the winning spot kick.

The triumph marked Senegal‘s first ever AFCON crown.

The drama of the final began unfolding immediately, when Egypt centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem conceded a penalty just four minutes into the contest. Goalkeeper Mohamed Abougabal would atone for his defender’s error, though, saving Mane’s effort from the spot to keep the game scoreless.

And it would remain that way throughout the 90 minutes. Abougabal would made five saves in normal time, with Mendy adding two of his own, as the match would head into extra-time at 0-0.

An additional half hour didn’t yield a goal, either, so the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations final would head to a penalty shootout to determine a winner.

Another Abdelmonem mistake would prove costly for Egypt. In the second round of shooters, the 23-year-old Al Ahly player struck the woodwork, handing the advantage to Senegal. But Abougabal would again come to his team’s rescue, saving Bouna Sarr‘s effort in the third round, after which Marwan Hamdy’s conversion would put the sides on equal footing once more.

And in the fourth round, it was 2022 FIFA The Best award winner Mendy who would change the course of the game, saving Mohanad Lasheen’s effort to put Senegal in front once more. And some two hours and 40 minutes after having a first-half penalty saved, Mane returned to the spot, and slotted home the winner with a right-footed effort.