Trezeguet scored an extra-time winner as Egypt came from behind to beat Morocco 2-1 and reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
It was Morocco who got off to the perfect start, when Sofiane Boufal scored an early penalty, his third goal of the tournament, following a VAR review. But Mohamed Salah’s goal early into the second-half took the match to extra-time, and the Liverpool man provided the assist for Trezeguet to complete the comeback.
Egypt will face hosts Cameroon in the semi-finals, as they look for their first AFCON title since 2010.
Achraf Hakimi has been Morocco’s stand-out performer in the tournament, and he was heavily involved as his side took an early lead. The right-back was brought down in the box by Ayman Ashraf less than three minutes into the match, and while the referee inexplicably waved away the penalty appeals, he returned to point to the spot after consulting the replays.
The penalty was eventually cooly tucked away by Boufal and Morocco had the perfect start against an Egypt side that have proved difficult to break down.
Ashraf and Ahmed El Fotouh both had shots from distance saved as Egypt looked for a quick response, while Hakimi went close to doubling the lead as he looked for his third free-kick goal of the tournament.
Egypt started the second-half really quickly and got their reward with 53 minutes on the clock. Mohamed Abdelmonem’s header from a corner was well saved, but the rebound fell to Salah who had a tap-in into an empty net from a couple of yards out.
Frustrations on both sides boiled over as a challenge from Mostafa Mohamed on Hakimi quickly escalated into a melee involving almost every outfield player. Egypt in particular struggled to keep their heads, furious with a number of refereeing decisions throughout the match.
Abou Gabal made a stunning save to tip Nayef Aguerd’s header from six-yards out onto the bar, as Morocco were inches away from snatching a winner with just over five minutes remaining. That was as close as either side would come to settling it within 90 minutes, as the match went to extra-time.
It was Egypt who struck the decisive blow, as the clock reached 100 minutes. Salah ran at Aguerd, worked it onto his right foot and played a perfect ball across the face of goal - Trezeguet could not miss as he fired into an empty net.
Egypt should have settled it in the dying seconds, as they broke with four players while the Morocco goalkeeper was up for a set-piece, but they made a mess of it and Salah couldn’t divert an effort into the empty net.
Morocco failed to produce any late charge though, having been largely disappointing since scoring that early penalty, as Egypt set up an incredibly exciting last-four clash against hosts Cameroon.
