Egypt and Mo Salah advanced to the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-0 win over DR Congo made it two wins from two for the hosts.
Underdogs Congo were the brighter team for long periods in the first half and the Leopards even hit the woodwork twice, first when Wolfsburg defender Marcel Tisserand stabbed onto the bar from close range and then when Jonathan Bolingi’s header looped onto the frame of the goal.
At the other end however, Egypt were more clinical. When a corner kick fell to Ahmed Elmohamady in a crowded penalty area, the Aston Villa defender skillfully flicked the ball from his left foot to his right before poking it home to give the Pharos the lead.
And when the influential Trezeguet drove through midfield to set up Salah, the Liverpool man made up for an earlier miss as he wrong-footed both his marker and the goalkeeper to fire home his first goal of the tournament, much to the delight of the 60,000 fans packed into the Cairo International Stadium.
Congo continued to pile on the pressure in the second half but failed to convert their dominant spells into goals, although Bolingi did force Ahmed El Shenawy into an impressive reflex save while Yannick Bolasie curled a free-kick just inches wide.
At the other end, Trezeguet found the side-netting for Egypt but the score remained 2-0.
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