AFCON 2019: Egypt downs hard fighting DRC, through

Egypt confirmed a place in the round of 16 and forward steps towards matching the previous glorious winning record in 2010 and finals in 2017, after beating DRC in the second group match.Β  DR Congo is now at the exit of the 2019 AFCON after their second group B loss, going down by two unanswered goals.

Both teams made their intentions clear from the word go with end to end action being witnessed. DR Congo possed the first real threat through after a headed clearance landed on Tresor Mputu outside the box. The veteran attacker, however, swept his volley straight to Mohamed El Shenawy.

The hosts responded in an even stronger measure with Liverpool striker Mohammed Salah beating two defenders but his shot is deflected for a corner in the 15th minute. Former Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu then unleashed a cross from the right but was deflected.

It was not too long before Egypt got their way in the 25th minute after continuous prodding. It all started from a Mohamed Salah short corner that ended up in the box, before landing toΒ Ahmed Elmohamady,Β who then tapped it home with the outside of his right foot.

https://twitter.com/TotalAFCON2019E/status/1143984834622238721

The closest of Congo chances in the first half came in the 40th minute being denied for a second time by the crossbar from Antwerp striker Jonathan Bolingi header from eight yards out. It wouldn’t, however, end without experiencing a full touch of brilliance from Turkish based midfielder Trezeguete.

The Kasimpasa player produced some brilliant play to set up Mo’ Salah for Egypt’s second in the 43rd minute, running from his own half before nutmegging Jacques Maghoma before releasing Salah to the far right. The Liverpool striker then cuts in and released a fierce shot past Congo keeper Matampi at his near post.

Congo came back strongly in the second half and did not go down without a fight with various clear-cut chances although they all went down the drain. Striker Cedric Bakambu should have taken better advantage of bad defending but he mishandled the ball to concede a goal-kick.

The best of the chances came in the 77th minute through DR Congo striker Jonathan Bolingi who grabbed a fantastic header from a right-wing cross which Mohamed El Shenawy keeps out with a diving stop.

Yannick Bolasie had another glorious chance three minutes later from a freekick from the edge of the area but he blasts it just wide, failing to curls it round enough and sending the ball just past the far post.

Mohamed Salah had a final chance, running from his own half and cutting inside before being crowded out by DRC defenders. Congo now head home after the second loss in a row in the tournament.

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