Egypt Capital Cup: Ceramica Cleopatra take big step toward semifinals

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Ceramica Cleopatra have one foot in the semifinals after Thursday's impressive result with a big 4-1 victory over Petrojet in the first leg of the Egypt Capital Cup quarterfinals.

Ragab Nabil scored first for Ceramica Cleopatra in the 21st minute with a header following a corner kick delivered by Mohamed Shokry.

Mohamed Reda Bobo doubled the lead in the 41st minute after a well-executed team play ended with a low cross from Ahmed Belhadj, which Bobo slotted home from inside the six-yard box.

Badr Moussa pulled one back for Petrojet in the 61st minute from the penalty spot. However, Ceramica restored their two-goal lead through Islam Issa, who made it 3-1 in the 77th minute after receiving a good pass from Bobo and finishing a one-on-one with the Petrojet goalkeeper.

The final minutes of the match were full of drama as the referee awarded a penalty that was taken by Amr Kalawa and saved by Petrojet’s goalkeeper Mohamed Khalifa. But during the follow-up, the referee awarded another penalty for Kalawa.

Mohamed Shokry sealed the victory with Ceramica's fourth goal, scoring from the spot in the 100th minute.

This marks the second consecutive match in which Ceramica Cleopatra have won 4-1, having defeated ZED by the same scoreline in their final group stage match of the Egypt Capital Cup.

It is also the second consecutive four-goal defeat for Petrojet, who had previously enjoyed a five-match winning streak in the Nile Egyptian League and the Egypt Capital Cup.

The second leg between Ceramica Cleopatra and Petrojet is scheduled to take place on May 21, 2025.