Mohamed Salah delivered a dramatic finish as Egypt overcame Benin 3–1 to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Monday. The Round of 16 clash at Stade Adrar was a fiercely contested affair, with both sides showing intensity and determination as they battled for a place in the last eight.
Egypt controlled possession slightly in the first half but created few clear chances, and neither team managed to break the deadlock before halftime.
The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when Mohamed Hany picked out Marwan Attia at the edge of the box. Attia’s powerful long-range strike flew past the goalkeeper to give Egypt the lead.
Just as the Pharaohs looked poised to close out the game, Benin responded brilliantly. In the 83rd minute, Jodel Dossou finished from close range to level the scores, sending the match into extra time.
Egypt regained control in the 97th minute when Yasser Ibrahim rose above his marker to head home another pinpoint delivery from Attia, restoring the Pharaohs’ advantage.
As Benin pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, they were punished in the dying moments. With the final attack of the match, Salah calmly slotted home to seal a 3–1 victory, underlining his leadership and big-match pedigree.
The result sends Egypt into the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Nigeria vs Mozambique. For the Pharaohs, the win provides renewed belief after recent disappointments at the tournament.
Having last lifted the AFCON trophy in 2010, Egypt will hope this hard-fought victory serves as a springboard toward reclaiming continental glory and ending a long wait for another title.
