Ahmed Fathi 'Bougi' came off the bench to score two second-half goals and help Egypt defeat Italy 4-2 in a thrilling U-20 World Cup clash as the tournament hosts reached the last 16. Bougi replaced Mohamed Talaat with the score tied at 2-2 and scored Egypt's third with his first kick of the game before wrapping up the win with ten minutes remaining. Ahmed Shokri, who replaced the suspended Hossam Arafat in the team's starting line-up, gave Egypt the lead midway through the first half but his effort was cancelled out by Umberto Eusepi. The Pharaohs once again led via another strike from Shokri just before the halftime whistle but Michelangelo Albertazzi equalized shortly after the restart. Bougi then made the difference as Egypt finished on top of Group A with six points, one ahead of second-placed Paraguay who advanced to the next round despite settling for a goalless draw with Trinidad and Tobago. Italy, who have four points, are also likely to progress as one of the best four third-placed teams in the six groups. First Appearance The absence of Hossam Arafat gave Shokri the chance to make his first appearance in the tournament. Shokri played on the right flank while Afroto was deployed on the left to support lone striker Talaat, who once again failed to live up to expectations. Although Afroto, who scored twice in Egypt's first two group-stage games, is seen as the main threat to opponents Shokri was the one who stole the show. The Ahli man, 20, send the home fans into ruptures on 23 minutes when he notched the opener as Egypt's early pressure paid dividends.
Bougi scores Egypt's third goal Italy defense failed to clear a long ball from left-back Islam Ramadan and Shokri pounced to fire a left-footed drive that was too powerful for keeper Vincenzo Fiorillo to block. A defensive lapse allowed the Azzurri to restore parity six minutes later. A mis-hit kick by right-back Ali Mohamed on the edge of the area found Marco Calderoni, whose shot was directed into the net by Eusepi from close range after Egypt's central defenders were caught napping. Shokri restored the Pharaohs' advantage just before the break when he was picked out by a rare accurate cross from Ramadan at the far post to send a right-footed shot that took a deflection and looped into the net. Bougi Heroics Talaat wasted a golden opportunity to extend Egypt's advantage while one-on-one with Fiorillo shortly after the break and the team were made to pay for his miss in the 53rd minute. Albertazzi towered unmarked to glance a header into the net after a left-wing corner to level the score once again. The diminutive Afroto did not sparkle and was replaced with Mostafa Galal while the ineffective Talaat made way for Bougi. Bougi, who joined Zamalek in the summer, needed few seconds to make an impact and help Egypt gain the upper hand for a third time. He escaped his marker and capitalized on a deflected shot to head home at the far post after a free-kick caused confusion in the area. The combative frontman made sure of the win ten minutes from time in brilliant fashion, chesting down a long pass inside the area and side-footing the ball into the bottom corner despite being under pressure.
