Salah's AFCON Heartbreak: Return Date to Liverpool After Egypt's Semi-Final Loss

In a tense AFCON 2025 semi-final on January 14, 2026, Mohamed Salah's Egypt suffered heartbreak, falling 1-0 to Sadio Mané's Senegal, ending their hopes of a first title since 2010[2][3]. The match, a rematch of the 2022 final where Senegal won on penalties, saw former Liverpool teammates Salah and Mané clash once more[3].

The game was a low-scoring affair with few chances. Senegal's defense, anchored by Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, frustrated Egypt's attacks. Nicolas Jackson's first-half shot was the only notable opportunity before Mané's 78th-minute stunner sealed victory—a curling strike from the edge of the box that caught goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy off guard[2]. Senegal dominated possession late, pinning Egypt back despite the Pharaohs' counterattacking intent[2].

Salah, tournament's top scorer with four goals including a brace in Egypt's 3-2 quarter-final win over Ivory Coast, couldn't break through. Teammate Omar Marmoush also failed to shine as Egypt offered little offensively[1][2][3]. Visible tears from Salah at full-time underscored the emotional blow, lamenting a missed chance to claim the one major trophy absent from his cabinet[2].

Senegal advances to the final against either Morocco or Nigeria in Rabat, rewarding their ambition and solid backline that conceded just two goals prior[1][3]. For Liverpool fans, relief: Salah, 33, is now free to return. The Reds, midway through their season, expect him back for training within days, potentially for the January 18 Premier League clash versus Arsenal. His AFCON exploits—four goals—bolster his Golden Boot bid, but the semi-final exit stings after such promise[1][3].

Mané's heroics continue his edge over Salah in AFCON clashes, propelling Senegal forward while Liverpool regains its talisman earlier than anticipated[2].

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