With the wounds of February's AFCON exit still fresh, a young Pharaohs team are going some way to relieve them, bringing pride back to their nation at the Olympic Games.
Tuesday afternoon in Bordeaux saw Egypt raise the bar once again, taking down dangerous tournament favourites Spain to steal top spot in Group C.
In the opening 20 minutes, Egypt contained a pressing changed Spain side, yet to concede and scoring just once; the Africans were largely an unknown quantity from their opening matches with La Roja looking to feel out the compact opposition.
A first half that provided opportunities for both sides was burst open with an opening goal in the 40th minute; Ibrahim Adel opened up to curl home a safe bet for goal of the tournament, with La Selección going behind for the first time at the games.
Now with the lead, Egypt controlled the openings of the second half similarly to the first, containing their sloppy Spanish opposition who continued to throw away opportunities to equalise.
Among a frenzy of Spain chances Egypt's moment arose again, Jon Pacheco's suicidal back pass to Alejandro Irtube saw Adel on hand to pick up the pieces and double their lead with a mocking dink; La Roja sunk to the floor.
Better late than never, Egypt were shaken by Samu Omorodion's late back-post header. 10 minutes were added for Egypt to retain Group C conquering.
Despite the pressure that followed, The weary Egyptians held their lead. The reward: a more straight-forward route to the semi-final as they take on the Group D runners-up in Marseille.
Story of the match
Having stamped their ticket to the quarter final with victory over the Dominican Republic, Santi took a page out of his old mate Luis de la Fuente's book, making 10 changes for a less important final group game.
Aimar Oroz was the only survivor from Saturday's win, the Osasuna man the only player to start all three Olympic matches. Diego López was also chosen over his namesake Fermin, getting a chance from the start.
Egypt coach Brazillian Rogerio Micale decided to go unchanged from victory over Uzbekistan, trusting the same starting eleven to get the job done.
A much changed Spain in Bordeaux, but their style of play would evidently remain the same; the fringe players enjoying the opportunity and beginning brightly in a spell of early dominance.
Egypt had no intention of sitting back and watching an excitable Spain go through the motions. Needing a point to extend their stay in France, the Africans came out the traps equally eager, able to win the ball back in midfield while La Roja's backups settled in.
Hunting in packs through the early stages, Egypt were well aware of Spain's bursting threat, looking to control them in a compact fashion and searching for a turn-over from impending Spanish mistakes.
Having handed Spain their first warning, Egypt's first real moment came through AFCON U-23 POTT Ibrahim Adel. The winger chased down what looked a lost ball, before beating a depleted Spain guard, needing a lone Cristhian Mosquera's late block to deny him.
Getting just a bit over excited, Egypt had left themselves vulnerable to a rapid response; Diego López raced up to the penalty area before laying off to Olympic opening scorer: Marc Pubill, but the defender was denied by the post from his speculative effort.
Alejandro Irtube was tested for the first time through 20 minutes, Ahmed Kouka dug himself into a yard of space before taking a shot, tipped over by the keeper.
Pressure built on Egypt as the break approached. Despite a luxury of space, Camello was not able to pluck out a key ball, seeing his opportunity roll out for a goal-kick.
Spain's tumble from the top of Group C took place on half-time. Shrugging off Miguel Gutiérrez while chasing a direct ball, Zizo found Ibrahim Adel on the edge of the box; the winger wrapped a superb Egyptian gem that dipped gorgeously into the top corner, leaving Irtube no hope of keeping his sheet clean.
Falling from the heights of Group C made Santi call on several names to dig them out of a poor defeat. Sergio Gomez and Juanlu Sanchez were summoned in place of Aimar Oroz and Marc Pubill.
The next chance was Omorodion's; Diego López's deep cross found a way to the striker at the back post, but showing his inexperience, he didn't anticipate the opportunity. Only able to whisk it wide with a late reaction.
Just as they began to show positive signs again Santi's team reconstructed their own downfall, Jon Pacheco's backwards sweeping 'clearance' was picked up by Ibrahim Adel, who could poke it past Iturbe to double the Pharoh's advantage.
Further La Roja changes followed the second goal, Santi trying to get all of his previous first choices onto the pitch led to a mishmash between Spain's first and second choice players, creating an incoherence among the team.
In the midst of rebuild attempts, Egypt threatened a third; Diego López was picked off by Kouka who's resulting effort was palmed away by Irtube and back to Adel, but the Atletico Madrid keeper barely prevented his hat-trick.
Captain Mohamed Elneny led Egypt through a professional last quarter of the match, keeping the win in their grasp throughout Spain panic.
Having struggled to impose himself as Spain’s forward man, Omorodion finally had something to savour when Sergio Camello found the Atletico Madrid striker with an inch-perfect ball, finally utilising his overpowering height to head his side back into the match.
In a single moment, Egypt had been put onto the back foot, 10 minutes of added time after Omordion’s 90th-minute header had left The young Pharaohs with what would feel like hours to protect their position at the top of the group.
‘Attack is the best form of defence’ as they say. Egypt bounded forward to add a third goal into the 11th of 10 added-on minutes. You will have hardly seen a team look more comfortable in seeing out a win; perhaps with the luxury of their place in the Quarter Final secured.
Player of the Match - Ibrahim Adel
Not a difficult selection being the scorer of Egypt’s two precious goals. The 23-year-old caused the opposition plenty of problems, Adel’s blustering speed unravelled a messy Selección every time Egypt ventured forwards.
A sharpshooter in front of goal, Adel went inches from securing the first hat-trick of the Men’s football at the games. Having tripled Egypt’s goal tally in Paris, the Pyramid FC man can be a sure outlet for his nation as they charge on in France.
