Egypt booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense last-16 encounter with Benin was settled in extra time in Marrakesh.
Egypt booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense last-16 encounter with Benin was settled in extra time in Marrakesh.
Opportunities were scarce for long stretches, and Mohamed Salah had little influence for much of the contest before striking late on to seal progress.
The opening period ended without a breakthrough, as both sides cancelled each other out in midfield and limited clear sights of goal.
The deadlock was eventually broken just past the hour mark when Marwan Attia struck from a distance, his effort flying into the top corner from outside the area.
Benin struggled to respond creatively and appeared on course for elimination until a deflected cross caused chaos in the Egyptian defence late on.
Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy failed to deal with the awkward delivery, allowing Jodel Dossou to pounce from close range and force extra time with seven minutes remaining.
With little to separate the teams during the additional period, a dead-ball situation proved decisive as Yasser Ibrahim’s stretching attempt looped beyond Marcel Dandjinou.
Benin pushed forward in search of another equaliser, leaving space at the back that Egypt exploited in the closing moments.
Salah sprinted clear in the final minute and bent a superb outside-of-the-boot finish into the net from range to confirm a 3-1 victory.
The Liverpool forward remains without an AFCON title despite a decorated career, having previously been beaten in two finals since making his international debut in 2011.
Questions had surrounded his form following a difficult start to the season at the club level, including his omission by head coach Arne Slot.
His latest strike brings him to three goals at this tournament in Morocco, his best return at a single AFCON, even if his overall influence has fluctuated.
Omar Marmoush threatened early on for Egypt but failed to convert a one-on-one, while another effort was dramatically cleared off the line.
Both sides were forced into substitutions, with Mohamed Hamdy leaving the field on a stretcher after an accidental collision and Benin losing Aiyegun Tosin.
Further pressure saw Ramy Rabia denied from a corner before Trezeguet also departed injured, moments prior to Attia’s opener.
Benin briefly dared to dream of repeating their surprise run from 2019, yet they lacked the attacking confidence to complete another upset.
Gernot Rohr’s team had tasted a first AFCON win inside regulation time earlier in the competition but could not find a way through in Agadir.
Egypt now awaits a quarter-final meeting with either Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso, with the tie scheduled for Saturday evening in Agadir, as hopes of lifting the trophy in Rabat remain alive.
