Pulse Recap: Pharaohs, Teranga Lions reach semis after dramatic quarterfinal wins

The Africa Cup of Nations is now in its penultimate round after Egypt and Senegal completed the lineups for the semifinals on Sunday.

Egypt's Pharaohs defeated the Atlas Lions of Morocco while the Teranga Lions ended the brilliant journey of Equatorial Guinea.

Mohamed Salah was the standout performer as Egypt continued their remarkable AFCON 2021 campaign with a 2-1 extra-time win over rivals Morocco in the first quarterfinal of the day.

The Liverpool main man scored more and assisted another to help the Pharaohs complete a brilliant come from behind win over the Atlas Lions.

For 53 minutes, the Pharaohs found themselves down 0-1 no thanks to a 7th-minute penalty from Sofiane Boufal to put Morocco in front.

However, Salah equalised in the 53rd minute of the game to send the game into extra time after both teams failed to find the winner in regulation time.

Ten minutes into extra time, Egypt took the lead for the first time as Salah turned provided this time to set substitute Trezeguet to tap home from close range.

Egypt should have added a third goal moments later, that man again, Salah was involved as the Pharaohs broke with every Moroccan player in the Egyptian box for a late corner in search of the elusive equaliser that would have taken the game to penalties.

However, Salah, who started the move should have scored his second of the game but found the side netting in a dramatic last moment of the game.

Egypt goes through to the semifinals where they will take on host nation Cameroon and their home support.

For the first time in their history, Senegal secured a second successive semifinal ticket in the AFCON and they have Cheikhou Kouyate and Ismaila Sarr to thank for it.

Two second-half goals from the duo saw the Teranga Lions overcome the gallant and brave Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea in the final game of the last eight.

Famara Diedhiou Opened gave Senegal a first-half lead after latching onto an excellent through pass from the man of the match, Mane, to shoot past Jesus Owono.

Equatorial Guinea won't fall without a fight and came back into the game in the second half when Jannick Buyla Sam equalised for them five minutes into the second half.

Another substitute, Sarr, wrapped up the win 11 minutes from time to seal the deal for Aliou Cisse's men, who produced arguably their best performance of the AFCON 2021.

The Teranga Lions welcomed back star player Sadio Mane back after that concussion he suffered in the Round of 16 and will be glad he was available to face Equatorial Guinea.

Mane was inspirational and involved in everything good for the Teranga Lions as they defeated the brilliant Nzalang Nacional 3-1 to book their semifinal ticket late Sunday.

Senegal will take on Burkina Faso next in the semifinals as they look to secure another piece of history - a first-ever back-to-back appearance in the final and perhaps go one step further, winning it for the first time.