Egypt secured a vital yet hard-fought 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Cairo International Stadium. This win propels Egypt to the top of Group A, solidifying their position as strong contenders in the qualifiers.
Under the leadership of newly appointed coach Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs made an impressive start. Within the first eight minutes, Mahmoud Trezeguet, returning from injury, electrified the home crowd with two quick goals.
The Trabzonspor winger first found the net with a powerful header from a cross by Mohamed Salah in the 4th minute.
Just four minutes later, Trezeguet capitalized on a defensive error, skillfully evading his marker and finishing with precision to double the lead.
Egypt’s dominance was evident throughout the first half as Burkina Faso struggled to mount any significant threat, focusing instead on damage limitation. The Pharaohs’ early onslaught seemed to have put the game beyond reach for the visitors.
However, the second half painted a different picture. Burkina Faso, determined to claw back into the match, found a lifeline through Lassina Traoré.
The forward reduced the deficit in the 56th minute, heading in a rebound off the crossbar after a powerful initial effort.
This goal sparked a renewed vigor in the Stallions, causing the Egyptian defense and their supporters considerable anxiety.
Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy emerged as a hero, making several crucial saves to preserve his team’s lead.
Notably, he thwarted another dangerous attempt by Traoré in the 83rd minute and narrowly avoided an own goal by Rami Rabia in the 84th minute.
Despite Burkina Faso’s relentless pressure, Egypt managed to hold on, securing their third consecutive victory in the qualifiers.
Coach Hossam Hassan praised his team’s resilience, acknowledging the tense moments of the match.
“We started strong and controlled the first half, but Burkina Faso showed great spirit in the second half. Our defense and goalkeeper were outstanding in those final minutes,” Hassan commented.
This victory places Egypt four points clear at the top of Group A, ahead of second-placed Guinea Bissau, and five points ahead of Burkina Faso.
The Pharaohs will next face Guinea Bissau in an away fixture on Monday, June 10, 2024, while Burkina Faso will host Sierra Leone.
With this win, Egypt has not only secured a crucial three points but also demonstrated their ability to withstand pressure, reinforcing their quest for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The team’s blend of experienced stars and emerging talents continues to show promise as they navigate the challenging path of the qualifiers.
