Egypt’s journey at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations reached a thrilling high on Monday as the Pharaohs overcame a dogged Benin side to secure a 3-1 extra-time victory in the Round of 16 — booking their place in the quarter-finals and keeping alive their bid for an eighth continental crown.
Played at the Le Grand Stade d’Agadir in Morocco, the contest looked to be tightly poised in normal time as Egypt, traditionally one of the most successful sides in African football, struggled to put away a resilient Benin outfit.
It was Egypt who finally broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, with midfielder Marwan Attia unleashing a stunning long-range strike in the 69th minute that left Benin’s goalkeeper with no chance. The goal sparked relief among Egyptian fans, but the joy was short-lived as Benin responded in the 83rd minute through Jodel Dossou, whose close-range finish deflected into the net to level the score and send the match into extra time.
The extra 30 minutes saw Egypt regain control, with defender Yasser Ibrahim heading home from a well-worked corner in the 97th minute — his first goal for the national team — to restore the lead. Then, in the dying moments of the match at the 120+4 minute mark, captain Mohamed Salah put the result beyond doubt with a composed finish on the break, sealing Egypt’s passage into the quarter-finals.
Salah’s goal was a timely reminder of his quality on the continental stage, adding to his impressive AFCON scoring record and underlining his importance to the Pharaohs’ ambitions.
Despite the eventual scoreline, Benin can take pride in their performance. The Cheetahs — qualifying as one of the best third-placed sides from the group stage — gave Egypt plenty to think about and enjoyed their moments against one of Africa’s elite teams. Their spirited showing reflects the growth of football in the West African nation and the increasing competitiveness of the tournament.
For Egypt, the win continues a tournament campaign that has so far shown resilience and adaptability. The Pharaohs topped Group B with seven points before this knockout test, highlighting their consistency in the early phase of the competition.
Looking ahead, Egypt will face the winner of the clash between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals, with that tie also set to be played in Agadir. This next match represents a fresh challenge as the Pharaohs seek to go one step further than in recent tournaments and bring home their long-awaited eighth Africa Cup of Nations title.
Whether Egypt can sustain this momentum remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: with Salah leading the line and a renewed sense of belief under coach Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs are very much alive in the race for continental glory.
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