AFCON 2017 Semi-Finals: Scores, Bracket Results and Updated Fixtures

Egypt reached the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Burkina Faso 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The Pharaohs will face Cameroon, who survived a spirited effort from Ghana in the other semi-final, winning 2-0.

Egypt had 44-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary to thank for making it through. The veteran stopper lost his lengthy streak without conceding when Aristide Bance equalised for Burkina Faso in normal time after Mohamed Salah had given the Pharaohs the lead.

But El Hadary was the hero in the shootout as he made two key saves, including one to deny Burkina Faso 'keeper Kouakou Herve Koffi and the crucial stop against striker Bertrand Traore.

In Thursday's clash, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui took advantage of some horrendous set-piece defending to open the scoring, and Christian Bassogog secured the win.

Here's what the updated bracket and fixtures look like after tonight's result:

Recap

The first half of Wednesday's match between Egypt and Burkina Faso played out in the way most matches involving the Pharaohs have at this year's tournament. In other words, the pace of play was pedestrian, few chances were created and defences were on top.

The contrast between both teams' styles of play couldn't have been more stark. Egypt may have been cagey and pragmatic, but Burkina Faso were terrific on the eye.

The Stallions rotated the ball at pace, always shifting possession swiftly and neatly in small triangles and looking to exploit gaps between the lines.

Yet for all their verve and intuition, Burkina Faso remained vulnerable at the back. So much so it was the Pharaohs who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Mahmoud Hassan went close.

Egypt mustered little else during the opening 45 minutes, though. In fact, had Traore been sharper in front of goal, Burkina Faso would have been comfortably ahead at the break.

Egypt had been put under pressure but were still keeping a clean sheet approaching the hour mark. However, Jonny Singer of the Daily Mail was still surprised the Pharaohs were staying so solid, even questioning eventual hero El Hadary:

Egypt remained stout at the back, while Burkina Faso continued producing stylish football, with Traore influential. Yet Jonathan Wilson of The Blizzard keenly sensed what was about to happen:

So it proved, as Salah curled a terrific left-footed effort into the top corner to put Egypt in front.

The Pharaohs were now in a familiar position of defending a one-goal lead. It would take something special to break this side down.

However, Burkina Faso soon found something special when Bance capped a beautiful move to net a superb equaliser. Wilson described what was a stunning goal:

Ed Dove of Reuters put Egypt conceding into context:

Extra time followed, but neither side could find a winner, meaning penalties were needed. It was the cue for El Hadary to work his magic.

Squawka Football summed up why he's been Egypt's main man at this year's tournament:

The Pharaohs have grafted their way to the final by mastering a miserly formula. Yet Cameroon boast the talent in forward areas to finally break this team down decisively.

The Indomitable Lions didn't show it for large stretches of Thursday's match, however, as Ghana dominated in the first half. Afriyie Acquah and Christian Atsu both went close, but couldn't find a way past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.

Cameroon finished the half strong but didn't threaten the opposing goalkeeper enough, and the roles once again reversed after the break. And just as Asamoah Gyan was ready to enter the pitch for Ghana's late push, the team's defence went to sleep on a free-kick, and Ngadeu-Ngadjui easily slotted home at the far post.

Per Ed Dove of Reuters, the delivery played a big role:

Ondoa suffered a head injury in the dying minutes but bravely fought on, as Ghana threw all their might at Cameroon in search of an equaliser. It never materialised, however, and Bassogog added a second goal in injury time to secure the win for good.