AFCON 2025: Salah strikes in extra-time as Egypt defeat Benin to reach Quarter-Finals
Mohamed Salah scored deep into extra-time as Egypt booked their place in the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Benin, extending their unbeaten head-to-head record against the Cheetahs to five matches.
The Round of 16 encounter lived up to pre-match expectations of being tense rather than thrilling, with both sides having progressed from the group stage in unconvincing fashion. Regulation time ended 1-1 before Egypt’s quality and experience told in extra-time.
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Egypt began the brighter side and nearly struck early when Omar Marmoush was sent through one-on-one inside eight minutes, only to hesitate and lose possession to Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
Benin offered little attacking threat in the first half, focusing primarily on defensive discipline. Their only notable moment came via a long-range Junior Olaitan free-kick, comfortably gathered by Mohamed El Shenawy.
Marmoush came close again before the break, poking a loose ball goalwards inside the area, but his effort lacked power and was blocked.
Late drama sends match to extra-time
Benin, playing their first AFCON knockout match since 2019, grew in confidence after the hour mark. Substitute Jodel Dossou nearly broke the deadlock when played clean through, but El Shenawy rushed off his line to make a crucial save.
With 69 minutes gone, Egypt finally made the breakthrough. A pull-back from the byline found Marwan Attia, who unleashed a stunning first-time strike into the top-left corner to ignite the Egyptian supporters.
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However, Benin refused to fold. With just seven minutes left in normal time, Dossou reacted quickest to a rebound inside the six-yard box, forcing the ball home to level the score and push the game into extra-time.
Salah seals it as Egypt march on
Any fears of an upset were eased seven minutes into extra-time when Attia turned provider, delivering a precise cross that Yasser Ibrahim headed looping over Dandjinou to restore Egypt’s lead.
That goal drained the belief from Benin, and in the final minute of added time in extra-time, Mohamed Salah put the contest beyond doubt. Breaking on the counter, the Liverpool forward showed composure to finish clinically and seal a 3-1 win.
Egypt will now face either Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso in Saturday’s quarter-final, as the seven-time champions continue their quest for a first AFCON title since 2010. With this victory, the Pharaohs are now just three wins away from continental glory.
SportsLigue