Mohamed Salah stunned Vincent Aboubakar into silence as Egypt defeated Cameroon to eliminate the hosts from the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Pharaohs will face Senegal in Sunday's final after overcoming the Indomitable Lions 3-1 on penalties following a nervy 120 minutes on Thursday night.
Cameroon captain Aboubakar scored his spot kick but three of his teammates failed to follow suit, gifting Egypt victory after they converted their first three penalties.
This meant Salah was not called on to take his side's fifth - and often decisive - penalty, as he did in the last-16 victory over Ivory Coast.
Ahead of the semi-final, much of the build-up focussed on the Liverpool forward's rivalry with Aboubakar, who sent him a fiery message insisting Paris Saint-Germain sensation Kylian Mbappe is a better player.
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"He doesn't impress me much," Aboubakar told French outlet RFI of Salah. "I say it clearly because I'm an honest person and I have my way of seeing things. If he impressed me, I would say so. But he doesn't impress me much.
"He's a good player, he scores a lot but he doesn't produce a lot of stuff in the game. Of course, he's doing good stuff in the Premier League because he's been in a team that's been there for years.
"He's a good player but not at the level of some like Mbappe."
Aboubakar's comments shocked many fans in light of Salah's truly world-class season at club level, with 23 goals and nine assists to his name in 26 games.
They may also have riled up the former Chelsea star, who had no interest in shaking hands with his counterpart for a second time after the pre-match toss.
What is for certain is Aboubakar's put-down about Salah backfired, and he cut a dejected figure as he trundled past reporters in the mixed zone following Cameroon's penalties heartbreak.
The 30-year-old, who plays for Saudi club Al Nassr, did not stop to answer any questions having seen his side knocked out of their home tournament.
Salah, in contrast, came jogging through the mixed zone with a beaming smile visible under his face mask.
The 29-year-old was asked what it feels like to be in the AFCON final and responded, "Unbelievable," before skipping out of view.
Salah appeared remarkably spritely for a player who has featured in every minute of Egypt's tournament so far, which includes three gruelling extra-times.
He has a matter of days to recover before Sunday's final as he bids to lead the Pharaohs to an eighth AFCON title.
