Tension without a breakthrough — Egypt hold firm as Senegal control first half | OneFootball

Pharaohs absorb pressure as Teranga Lions dominate possession

Tension without a breakthrough — Egypt hold firm as Senegal control first half

Egypt and Senegal went into the break locked at 0 - 0 in their AFCON 2025 semi final at Tangier Grand Stadium on Wednesday 14 January.

Senegal controlled long spells of the opening 45 minute but Egypt’s compact shape and disciplined defending ensured the contest remained goalless at half time.

The Pharaohs absorbed pressure, protected central zones and limited clear openings in half defined more by structure than chances.

How the half unfolded

The opening exchanges were cautious. Senegal applied early pressure circulating the ball and pushing their full backs high but Egypt stayed tight between the lines denying space around Mohamed El Shenawy’s penalty area.

The physical tone was set early. Hossam Abdelmaguid booked in the 6 minute for firm challenge while Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly followed him into the referee’s notebook on 17 minutes after incident involving Omar Marmoush, a caution that would rule him out of the final should Senegal progress.

Despite territorial dominance, Senegal struggled to translate control into clear danger. Egypt’s back line remained compact with Hamdy Fathy & Marwan Attia screening effectively in front of the defence.

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Best chance

Senegal’s clearest opening arrived in the 19 minute when Nicolas Jackson struck from distance but his effort sailed over the crossbar drawing collective exhale from the Egyptian bench.

By the latter stages of the half, Senegal were seeing far more of the ball and spending extended periods in Egypt’s half. Egypt meanwhile offered little going forward prioritising defensive balance over risk.

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Egypt will look for sharper counter attacking moments after the restart especially through Salah and Marmoush.

Senegal for their part must find greater precision in final third because control without breakthrough keeps the door open in semi final decided by fine margins.