Tops / Flops Senegal-Egypt: Mané titled, Salah disappeared

TOPS

To discover

• Africa Cup of Nations: schedule and results

• African Cup of Nations standings

Sadio Mané offers the first title to his country

He could have sunk but the Lion got up.

From the sixth minute of play, the Liverpool winger missed a penalty that would have allowed his team to take the lead from the start of the match.

But Sadio Mané gradually raised his level of play. He was above all everywhere on the pitch, playing both the role of left attacker and number 10. He sometimes went down very low in midfield to recover the ball and animate the game of his team.

Mané especially transformed the decisive shot on goal for his team, which allows Senegal to put his name on the list of winners of the African Cup of Nations.

LiveAt the end of the suspense, Senegal offers its first African Cup of Nations

The Diallo-Koulibaly hinge

A central hinge which has also increased in power and has effectively muzzled the opposing attacks.

Sometimes confronted against the Egyptian scorers, sometimes against Mohamed Salah who transplanted in the axis on his left foot.

Despite each a yellow card - Koulibaly in the 44th, Diallo in the 54th - the two centrals were able to remain solid so as not to make mistakes.

The two physical defenders were also both very present in the aerial duels.

As a symbol, it was the captain of the selection, then the Paris Saint-Germain player who scored the first two shots on goal for Senegal.

Gabaski saved his family again

But what planet does he come from?

Mohamed Abou Gabal said "Gabaski" could definitely have been the hero of his nation if his teammates had put themselves in tune with him.

From the sixth minute of the game, he stopped the penalty - badly hit - by Sadio Mané, and would come out with an extraordinary match with eight saves.

He allowed his people to hope.

Again decisive during the penalty shootout as he stops Bouna Sarr's attempt.

Two failures from his teammates will prevent him from lifting the trophy.

FLOPS

Salah too discreet

A big chance just before half-time and that's it for the Pharaohs magician.

Mohamed Salah was not to his advantage this Sunday evening, often lonely, his attacking friends often too busy defending.

Certainly tired by this series of matches, he who played three extensions before tonight, was not in the rhythm.

Fifth shooter for the Egyptians, he could not even make his attempt.

The scorers

If it was a game for the goalkeepers - eight saves for Gabaski, three for Mendy before the penalty shootout - it was not a game for the attackers and in particular the centre-forwards. Famara Dhiediou was too discreet in the opposing area, using little of his size and not cutting any of the many crosses from his teammates. Boulaye Dia, returned in the 77th minute, did not show off much. On the other side, Mostafa Mohamed was quite transparent and not very present in front of Edouard Mendy's goal, just like his teammate on the wing Omar Marmoush. The entries of Marwan Hamdy (59th), who recovered two balls from the head for Egypt, and that of Bemba Dieng (77th), author of many strikes for Senegal did a lot of good. Only 11 attempts on target in this game in 120 minutes.