Egypt vs Mozambique score, result, highlights as Mohamed Salah goal saves Pharaohs at Africa Cup of Nations

Ben Miller

Egypt vs Mozambique score, result, highlights as Mohamed Salah goal saves Pharaohs at Africa Cup of Nations image

Mohamed Salah's 97th-minute penalty spared Egypt one of the greatest upsets ever to have taken place at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the most successful team in the history of the tournament rescued a 2-2 draw against Mozambique at Abidjan's Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

The Mambas, whose FIFA ranking of 111th in the world puts them 78 places below Egypt, had failed to win in 12 previous matches at the tournament — a record that looked likely to continue when Mostafa Mohamed controlled Salah's mishit shot and turned expertly to blast the seven-time champions ahead with two minutes played.

After Mohamed was denied a second from a counterattack by Ernan Siluane's save, fellow forward Trezeguet almost doubled Egypt's lead when his shot clipped a post in the 25th minute.

Two goals in four second-half minutes transformed both sides' opening game in Group B, Witi and Clesio seizing on Egypt's defensive flaws to turn the scoreline around.

Egypt vs Mozambique final score, result

  Fulltime Goal scorers
Egypt 1 Mostafa Mohamed (2), Mohamed Salah (90+7 P)
Mozambique 2 Witi (55), Clesio (58)

Witi produced a terrific equaliser, ghosting between two markers to meet Domingos' searching cross with a header that Mohamed El Shenawy could only apply a hand to as it fizzed past him at his near post.

Clesio then collected Guima's low pass through the middle, surged into the penalty area and beat El Shenawy with a composed finish to put Mozambique on course for what would have been a remarkable result.

Egypt could not find a way through until Domingos was adjudged to have brought Mohamed down inside the penalty area in an aerial challenge that was the subject of a lengthy VAR check.

Salah's spot-kick was almost kept out by Siluane and the frame of the Mozambique goal, creeping in to earn one of the favourites for the title a point they had desperately chased for almost 40 minutes.

Egypt are next in action in the late kickoff on Thursday, returning to the same venue to face Ghana in their second group-stage match.

Mozambique will also be back at the Felix Houphouet Boigny on Friday, when their opponents will be Cape Verde.

The Sporting News followed the match live, providing updates and highlights below.

MORE: Which Liverpool players are at AFCON?

Starting lineups:

Egypt (4-3-3): El Shenawy (GK) – Hamdi, Hegazy, Abdelmonem, Hany – Zizo, Fathi, Elneny – Trezeguet, Salah, Mohamed.

Mozambique (4-4-1-1): Siluane (GK) – Reinildo, Dove, Mexer, Domingos – Witi, Amade, Guima, Gildo – Domingues – Ratifo

Egypt vs Mozambique live updates, highlights, commentary

Fulltime: Egypt 2-2 Mozambique

Egypt avert an upset almost at the last! What a game to kick off the tournament between teams who are 78 places apart in the world rankings.

Mozambique will be crestfallen not to have completed a remarkable win, but that second-half performance was scintillating at times and few would have fancied them for a point before kickoff.

This group should be an exciting one!

90 +7 mins: GOAL – Egypt 2-2 Mozambique (Mohamed Salah pen)

Just about! Mohamed Salah's penalty comes off a post and billows the net, rescuing Egypt!

Is there time for one more twist in this game?

Watch in UK:

Watch in US:

90 +3 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Drama! There's a VAR check for what looks like it is going to be an Egypt penalty after Mostafa Mohamed is brought down inside the box by a Domingos challenge.

The referee consults the pitchside monitor...

90 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Mohamed Salah has a shot blocked. We're into added time.

88 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Another change for Mozambique: Nene's on for Gima.

85 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Mostafa Mohamed plants in a header which is saved by Erni Siluane.

82 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Chance for Mohamed Salah! The Egypt talisman fires a shot wide from inside the penalty area.

80 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Mohamed Elneny has been replaced by Emam Ashour as Egypt roll the dice again in an attempt to avert a massive shock.

78 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Mohamed Abdelmonem looks mildly aghast after sending a header askew from a corner. Mozambique are closing in on a famous victory.

75 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Mohamed Abdelmonem is booked for a rash challenge. Egypt are looking a little desperate.

72 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Zizo takes aim from outside the penalty area for Egypt, arrowing a fierce shot wide of the far post.

Egypt probably have under 20 minutes in which to rescue this.

69 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Guima commits two fouls in quick succession for Mozambique and is booked.

Egypt, as you might expect, are hurrying play whenever they receive a free-kick.

66 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Double substitution for Egypt: Omar Kamal and Omar Marmoush are on for Trezeguet and Mohamed Hany.

Mozambique are three-quarters of the way there. How much will their opponents rue Trezeguet hitting the post with the score at 1-0 during the first half?

63 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

Mozambique's Reinildo is booked, and Mohamed Abdelmonem then isn't too far away with an ambitious attempt from outside the penalty area.

60 mins: Egypt 1-2 Mozambique

A reminder: Mozambique are yet to win in 12 previous matches at AFCON.

This would be a gigantic upset.

58 mins: GOAL – Egypt 1-2 Mozambique (Clesio)

This is sensational!

Guima sends Clesio clear through the centre. The winger needs no further invitation, sending a composed finish past Mohamed El Shenawy in the one-on-one.

Mozambique lead!

Watch in UK:

Watch in US:

56 mins: Egypt 1-1 Mozambique

Domingos controlled the ball beautifully on the right and curled a tremendous cross towards Witi for that leveller.

The recipient had ghosted between two markers to plant a powerful, precise header towards the far corner of the net. Mohamed El Shenawy got a touch to it but couldn't keep it out!

55 mins: GOAL – Egypt 1-1 Mozambique (Witi)

Superb equaliser!

Watch in UK:

Watch in US:

52 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mozambique are struggling to get out of their own half during a passage of possession, not helped by at least two poor passes.

Then they send a long ball along the right, forcing Mohamed El Shenawy to advance to the edge of his penalty area and clear the danger before Bruno Lange can reach the attempted pass.

50 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mohamed Salah takes aim from the edge of the penalty area as the ball drops kindly for him. His shot is blocked.

49 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Not bad! Bruno Langa's shot has more than enough power but not quite enough accuracy, hit low and true but fairly wide of a post.

48 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Those Mozambique subsitutions: Bruno Langa is on for Domingues and Clesio has replaced Gildo Lourenco.

Their team have just won a freekick within shooting range on the edge of the penalty area. Substitute Langa is over it.

46 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mozambique have made two changes at the break. The second half begins in the same fashion as the first, with Egypt playing passes around at the back.

Halftime: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Egypt are on course but it's not been quite as comfortable as it looked like it might be when Mostafa Mohamed swivelled and fired in their second-minute opener.

Trezeguet struck a post after 25 minutes, Mohamed having gone close to a second in between. But Mozambique have had their opportunities, and the fact they haven't had a shot on target yet is down to their wastefulness rather than a complete lack of opportunities.

45 mins +3: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

In what may be the last chance of the half, Mohamed Hany lashes in a low shot for Egypt from just outside the penalty area.

Ernan Siluane is just about equal to it, spilling the ball as he kneels on his goalline but managing to pounce on the rebound before any attacking players can.

45 mins +1: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mohamed Salah finds Ahmed Hegazy with a cross, the recipient heading wide from near the penalty spot.

44 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Egypt level up the corner count with their second of the match but can't create any significant danger with the opportunity.

41 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mohamed Salah has had a relatively quiet half by his standards. He's penalised for a foul on Domingues.

38 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Witi goes down in rather theatrical looking fashion under a challenge from Egypt's Mohamed Hamdi inside the penalty area.

The resulting Mozambique corner is played to Domingos outside the box, who thumps a shot well over the crossbar.

36 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Egypt are pressing at the moment, although they're not doing too much when they enter good positions.

Another before halftime would put any nerves they have at ease.

33 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mohamed Salah had been directly involved in 64% of Egypt’s AFCON goals since his debut in the competition before today.

That was his fourth assist from 15 team goals he's been on the pitch for.

30 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Some of Egypt's players and staff are deep in conversation as the squads have a cooling break.

Domingues is among the players to receive impassioned instructions among Mozambique's ranks on the sideline.

27 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mohamed Hamdy lifts a delivery across the face of goal from the left. Reinildo Mandava sees the cross behind with his chest.

25 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Trezeguet clips the outside of a post with a shot! Egypt should be in front, and Mozambique survive the scare.

24 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Egypt have had more than 60% of possession and both of the shots on target so far.

21 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mozambique have had more of the ball and have seemingly grown in confidence in recent minutes.

Then Mohamed Salah gets on the ball inside the penalty area on the right, turning back to lay the ball off to Zizo just outside the box, who clumps a shot well over the target.

19 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Great chance for Mozambique!

Witi makes a mess of a free header in front of goal, sending his effort behind him with precious little purchase. He then makes up for his wastefulness with a neat piece of control to turn his marker, only to drag a low shot wide from close range.

The Nacional star should have at least hit the target from there, if not equalised.

17 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny is penalised for a clumsy challenge on midfielder Domingues, who turned 40 last November.

15 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Centre-back Taha sizes up his options and decides to hammer in a low shot from just outside the Mozambique penalty area.

Edmilson Dove blocks the attempt, sending it spinning out for a throw-in.

12 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

A Mozambique delivery from a useful position is cleared by Egypt.

10 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mozambique mount their first notable attack, Gildo Vilanculos advancing along the left and sending in a useful cross which the underdogs can't keep hold of.

They're immediately punished, Mostafa Mohamed racing into the penalty area at serious speed at the other end and finishing the break by whacking in a shot which Hernani Siluane beats away at his near post.

7 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mozambique attempt a diagonal long ball, bouncing inside Egypt's penalty area and behind.

5 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Coming into this year’s competition, Mozambique had failed to score in 75% of their AFCON matches (nine out of 12) – the highest ratio among any team to have played at least 10 matches at the tournament.

Chiquinho Conde has a job on his hands to change that.

3 mins: Egypt 1-0 Mozambique

Mohamed Salah will receive an assist for that goal, although he might not have intended it to be a pass.

The Liverpool striker took aim but mishit the ball inside the penalty area, inadvertently shifting it the way of Mostafa Mohamed to his right, who turned beautifully away from Edmilson Dove and fired a shot on the turn into the far corner of the net!

2 mins: GOAL – Egypt 1-0 Mozambique (Mostafa Mohamed)

Sensational start for Egypt!

Watch in UK:

Watch in US:

1 min: Egypt 0-0 Mozambique

Egypt begin the action, keeping possession inside their own half for the opening 45 seconds.

They're in red shirts and white shorts, while Mozambique are all in yellow.

2 mins to kickoff: Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Mozambique captain Domingues exchange niceties in the centre of the pitch. We're almost ready to go!

20 mins to kickoff: Confirmation of those lineups...

40 mins to kickoff: Team news! Here's how the sides start...

Egypt (4-3-3): El Shenawy (GK) – Hamdi, Hegazy, Abdelmonem, Hany – Zizo, Fathi, Elneny – Trezeguet, Salah, Mohamed.

Mozambique (4-4-1-1): Siluane (GK) – Reinildo, Dove, Mexer, Domingos – Witi, Amade, Guima, Gildo – Domingues – Ratifo

1 hour to kickoff: Fancy an upset in style?

The last time Egypt lost an AFCON group game by more than one goal was over 30 years ago, in the 1990 edition against hosts Algeria (2-0).

1 hour 20 mins to kickoff: This is Mozambique’s fifth AFCON appearance and their first since 2010. They have finished bottom of their group in each of their four previous participations.

1 hour 40 mins to kickoff: This is Egypt’s 26th appearance at AFCON, a record in the history of the tournament. They have won it seven times – more than any other side – and have also reached the final in five of their last six participations.

No pressure for Mohamed Salah and friends, then.

2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of today's AFCON opener for Egypt and Mozambique in Abidjan.

With the two-year anniversary of their defeat on penalties to Senegal in the final of the last edition of this tournament looming, the Pharaohs — spearheaded by Mohamed Salah — are hefty favourites to win their opener against a Mozambique side who qualified with three wins and a draw from six matches, finishing four points behind Senegal in their group and above Benin and Rwanda.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by EFA (@efasocial)

Egypt vs Mozambique lineups

Egypt are without midfielder Ahmed Nabil with a torn foot ligament and defender Osama Galal because of a knee injury.

Mohanad Lasheen has replaced Nabil and centre-back Yasser Ibrahim is in the squad as a result of Galal's misfortune.

Egypt starting lineup (4-3-3): El Shenawy (GK) – Hamdi, Hegazy, Abdelmonem, Hany – Zizo, Fathi, Elneny – Trezeguet, Salah, Mohamed.

Egypt subs: Gabr, Abdel Wahed, Abdelghany, Mohamed Mahgoub, Kahraba, Mohamed, Fahim Ghallab, Abdel Hameid Mohamed Abdalla, Marmoush, Abou Gabal Ali (GK), Daader (GK), Ahmed Abdelmonem

Mozambique centre-back David Malembana, who plays for Armenian Premier League club FC Noah, is out with a short-term hamstring injury he sustained in training.

Geny Catamo, a wideman for Portuguese heavyweights Sporting, is suspended because of bookings picked up in qualifying.

Mozambique starting lineup (4-4-1-1): Siluane (GK) – Reinildo, Dove, Mexer, Domingos – Witi, Amade, Guima, Gildo – Domingues – Ratifo

Mozambique subs: Da Conceicao David Matola, Malembana, Jone, Langa, Momade, Ha King, Palmirim David Bauque, Jone Bonde, Faza Joao (GK), Oficial Urrubal (GK), Da Conceicao Nangy

Egypt vs Mozambique live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this AFCON 2024 match across selected areas of the world's major regions:

Region TV Streaming
USA Fubo, beIN Sports Connect, Fanatiz
Canada

UK Sky Sports Football Sky GO, Now TV
Australia beIN Sports 1 beIN Sports Connect
India FanCode

USA: This match will be available for live streaming via beIN Sports, Fanatiz and Fubo.

UK: This clash is available for live broadcast on Sky Sports Football with streaming available via Sky GO and Now TV.

Australia: BeIN Sports will provide broadcast coverage and streaming services for the tournament.

India: Streaming service FanCode is the place to go for AFCON 2024 matches.

Ben Miller

Ben Miller Photo

Ben Miller has been writing about sport for 25 years, following all levels of football as well as boxing, MMA, athletics and tennis. He’s seen five promotions, three relegations, one World Cup winner and home games in at least three different stadiums as a result of his lifelong devotion to Brighton & Hove Albion. His main aim each week is to cover at least one game or event that does not require a last-minute rewrite.