Four-goal encounter sees visitors progress on aggregate despite late equaliser
Al Masry SC secured their place in the semi-finals of the Egyptian Capital Cup after a 2-2 draw against El Gouna FC in the second leg of their quarter-final tie on Monday.
The result ensured Al Masry progressed with a 4-2 aggregate victory across both legs, maintaining their advantage from the first encounter despite a competitive display from their opponents.
Early breakthrough and swift response
El Gouna made a bright start and opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Mohamed Emad. The forward finished confidently after being picked out by a well-timed pass from Mohamed Mahmoud, placing the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper and into the right side of the net.
However, Al Masry responded quickly and restored parity just six minutes later. Mohamed Makhlouf produced a moment of quality from a set-piece, converting a direct free kick in the 23rd minute. His effort flew straight into the net, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance and bringing the tie back under control for his side.
Second-half drama unfolds
The match continued at an intense pace after the interval, with both teams pushing forward in search of goals. Al Masry took the lead in the 72nd minute through Omar Al Sa’i, who delivered one of the standout moments of the game.
Al Sa’i weaved his way past El Gouna’s defensive line before striking the ball with the outside of his foot. The effort found the net and appeared to put Al Masry firmly in command of the contest.
Despite the setback, El Gouna remained determined and found a late equaliser in the 84th minute. Ahmed Refaat unleashed a powerful shot from the left side of the penalty area, sending the ball into the top right corner of the goal.
Aggregate advantage proves decisive
Although the match ended level on the night, Al Masry’s earlier advantage across the two legs proved decisive. Their overall 4-2 aggregate scoreline ensured safe passage into the semi-finals, while El Gouna were eliminated after a spirited performance.
The tie showcased attacking quality from both sides, with four well-taken goals highlighting the competitive nature of the encounter. For Al Masry, the result underlines their consistency over the two legs, balancing resilience with moments of attacking flair.
Focus shifts to semi-finals
With qualification secured, Al Masry will now turn their attention to the semi-finals, where they will look to build on their momentum in pursuit of the Egyptian Capital Cup title.
For El Gouna, the draw may offer some encouragement despite their exit, having matched their opponents on the night and demonstrated their attacking capabilities in key moments.
