Mohamed Salah scored the only goal against Guinea-Bissau to kick-start Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
But the Pharaohs rode their luck as Mama Balde had a stunning late equaliser for the Djurtus ruled out after a video assistant referee review.
Record seven-time winners Egypt, who lost their Group D opener 1-0 against Nigeria, struck the woodwork three times in a game they largely dominated.
Salah volleyed in with 21 minutes left to secure a crucial victory in Garoua.
The Liverpool forward hit a first-time left-footed effort from the edge of the six-yard box which flew past the outstretched hand of Guinea-Bissau keeper Jonas Mendes.
In the 82nd minute, Balde cut in from the left and curled a shot just inside the right-hand upright, but the forward was adjudged to have fouled Egypt defender Omar Kamal in the build-up.
Egypt keeper Mohamed El Shenawy had to punch away a half-volley from Moreto Cassama in injury time to secure a result which moves the North Africans up to second in the Group D table, three points behind Nigeria but two points ahead of Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.
Egyptian King regains his crown
Salah had been isolated up front against the Super Eagles but was involved from the start against Guinea-Bissau, seeing his low effort from range clip the outside of the right-hand upright in the second minute.
The Egypt skipper then played his part in a sweeping move which ended with Mostafa Mohamed side-footing onto the base of the same post, and Salah had a volley deflected and pushed behind as the Pharaohs pressed before half-time.
Carlos Quieroz’s side were less impressive in the second half, but Amr El Soleya came up with a moment of quality to chip the ball into the box for Salah to convert with fine technique.
Zizo should have doubled the lead with 15 minutes left but guided a volley onto the left-hand post from the penalty spot.
Guinea-Bissau failed to threaten for much of the game but Jorginho sent a shot straight at El Shenawy before Egypt enjoyed a stroke of fortune when Balde’s effort was chalked off.
Egypt face Sudan in their final group game on Wednesday (19:00 GMT) knowing a draw will be enough to secure second place in the group, while Guinea-Bissau must beat Nigeria to have a chance of advancing to the last 16.
Line-ups
Guinea-Bissau
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Mendes
- 15Silva EncadaBooked at 31minsSubstituted forUcha Alvesat 77′minutes
- 22Sanganté
- 20Soriano Mané
- 2Candé
- 6Candé Nogueira
- 16Moro CassamáBooked at 86mins
- 9AmbriSubstituted forBarbosa Intimaat 60′minutes
- 5Pereira CamaráSubstituted forRodrigues Teixeiraat 88′minutes
- 18Brito SilvaBooked at 25minsSubstituted forMendyat 77′minutes
- 17Baldé
Substitutes
- 3Ucha Alves
- 4Fernandes Embalo Júnior
- 7Rodrigues Teixeira
- 10Tuncará Gomes
- 11Barbosa Intima
- 13Mendy
- 14Mendy
- 24Samba Baldé
Egypt
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Gomaa
- 3Abdel Wahed
- 6Hegazy
- 15HamdiSubstituted forAbdelmonem Elsayed Mohamed Ahmedat 45′minutes
- 12Ashraf
- 17ElnenyBooked at 50minsSubstituted forAbdul Fattahat 78′minutes
- 4El Soleya
- 19BekhitSubstituted forTrézéguetat 58′minutes
- 10Salah
- 14Ahmed AbdallahSubstituted forSayedat 58′minutes
- 22MarmoushSubstituted forMohamed Ragaei Bakrat 78′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Abdelmonem Elsayed Mohamed Ahmed
- 5Abdul Fattah
- 7Trézéguet
- 8Abdelghany
- 9Mohamed Ragaei Bakr
- 11Sobhi
- 16Abou Gabal Ali
- 20Eldin Mahmoud Ibrahim
- 21Sayed
- 23Daader
- 27Dawoud Soliman
- 28Mehany
- Referee:
- Pacifique Ndabihawenimana
Live Text
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Match ends, Guinea-Bissau 0, Egypt 1.
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Second Half ends, Guinea-Bissau 0, Egypt 1.
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Attempt saved. Moreto Cassamá (Guinea-Bissau) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Mama Baldé with a headed pass.
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Foul by Hamdi Fathi (Egypt).
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Mama Baldé (Guinea-Bissau) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Mohamed Sherif (Egypt).
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Opa Sanganté (Guinea-Bissau) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Hamdi Fathi (Egypt) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
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Mohamed Salah (Egypt) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Burá (Guinea-Bissau).
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Corner, Egypt. Conceded by Fali Candé.
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Attempt saved. Burá (Guinea-Bissau) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Foul by Amr El Soleya (Egypt).
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Jorginho (Guinea-Bissau) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Substitution, Guinea-Bissau. Mauro Rodrigues replaces Panutche Camará.
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Moreto Cassamá (Guinea-Bissau) is shown the yellow card.
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VAR Decision: No Goal Guinea-Bissau 0-1 Egypt.
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Omar Kamal (Egypt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Mama Baldé (Guinea-Bissau).
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Foul by Trézéguet (Egypt).