Egypt – Nigeria: a disallowed goal and a fiercely contested first half | OneFootball

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Egypt – Nigeria: a disallowed goal and a fiercely contested first half

The third-place playoff of the 2025 AFCON between Egypt and Nigeria is living up to expectations at halftime, with the score still goalless (0-0). At the Mohamed V Stadium, both teams are locked in an intense battle, highlighted by a Nigerian goal ruled out after a VAR intervention.

The first half was largely balanced, with the Pharaohs dominating possession in phases and Mohamed Salah proving highly influential in orchestrating the attack. The Egyptian winger created his side’s best chance but failed to convert in front of goal.

The turning point of the first half came in the 36th minute, when Nigeria thought they had broken the deadlock. After Shobeir parried the initial header, Adams nodded the ball in. But the Super Eagles’ celebrations were short-lived: following a VAR review, the referee disallowed the goal for a previous foul by Onuachu, who was promptly booked.

This incident sparked Nigeria into action, as they pushed forward in the closing minutes but couldn’t find the breakthrough before the interval. Both sides, solid at the back, head into the break level, setting up an open second half in the race for third place.