Egypt moved one step closer to a historic eighth Africa Cup of Nations title after edging out defending champions Ivory Coast 3–2 in a pulsating AFCON 2025 quarterfinal on Saturday night. Inspired once again by Mohamed Salah, the Pharaohs displayed resilience, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing to book their place in the semifinals.
The victory sets up a high-profile semifinal showdown against Senegal, the 2021 champions, in Tangier on Wednesday, as Egypt continue their quest to extend their record as the most successful nation in AFCON history.
Fast Start Sets the Tone for Egypt
Egypt wasted no time in asserting control over the contest in Agadir, capitalising on early defensive lapses from Ivory Coast. In just the fourth minute, a misplaced touch from Franck Kessié in midfield proved costly. Odilon Kossounou failed to recover in time, allowing Emam Ashour to thread a precise pass to Omar Marmoush, who calmly finished to give Egypt the perfect start.
The early goal rattled the holders, who struggled to regain composure as Egypt pressed aggressively and controlled possession during the opening phase.
Rabia Shines at Both Ends of the Pitch
Egypt’s defensive solidity was exemplified by Ramy Rabia, who first made a crucial block to deny Ivory Coast a clear scoring chance before making his presence felt at the other end.
In the 32nd minute, Rabia rose highest to meet a corner kick and powered a header past the Ivorian goalkeeper, doubling Egypt’s advantage and putting the Pharaohs firmly in control.
Ivory Coast Fight Back Before the Break
Despite Egypt’s dominance, Ivory Coast showed the fighting spirit that carried them to the title in the previous edition. Five minutes before halftime, they finally found a way back into the match.
A dangerous Yan Diomandé free kick caused chaos in the Egyptian box. Kossounou managed a glancing header, and Ahmed Abou El Fotouh, under pressure, inadvertently bundled the ball into his own net. The goal narrowed the gap to 2–1 and reignited Ivorian hopes heading into the break.
Salah Delivers Yet Again on the Big Stage
True to his reputation, Mohamed Salah stepped up when Egypt needed him most. Just seven minutes into the second half, Rabia launched a long, accurate ball that caught the Ivorian defence off guard. Ashour cleverly flicked the ball into Salah’s path with the outside of his boot, and the Liverpool forward made no mistake.
Salah’s composed finish in the 52nd minute marked his fourth goal of the tournament, restoring Egypt’s two-goal cushion and underlining his importance to the national side.
Late Pressure, but Egypt Hold Firm
Ivory Coast refused to surrender and continued to pile on pressure in the closing stages. In the 73rd minute, Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy produced a sharp reflex save, clawing the ball away in a crowded penalty area. However, the danger was not fully cleared, and Guéla Doué reacted quickest, scoring with a clever back-heel to make it 3–2.
The final minutes saw relentless Ivorian attacks, but Egypt’s defence remained organised and disciplined, successfully seeing out the match to seal a famous victory.
Match Summary Table
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | AFCON 2025 Quarterfinal |
| Venue | Agadir, Morocco |
| Final Score | Egypt 3–2 Ivory Coast |
| Egypt Goals | Marmoush (4’), Rabia (32’), Salah (52’) |
| Ivory Coast Goals | Abou El Fotouh (OG, 40’), Doué (73’) |
| Man of the Match | Mohamed Salah |
Egypt Eye Record-Extending Eighth Title
With this win, Egypt remain firmly on course for a record-extending eighth AFCON crown. Their blend of experience, tactical maturity, and individual brilliance has once again made them a formidable force in African football.
The upcoming semifinal against Senegal promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament, pitting two continental heavyweights against each other with a place in the final at stake.
Nigeria Join Semifinal Line-Up
Elsewhere in the quarterfinals, Nigeria continued their impressive run by defeating Algeria 2–0. The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, will face Morocco in the other semifinal.
Nigeria are chasing their first AFCON title since 2013, hoping to redeem themselves after the disappointment of missing out on World Cup qualification — a stark contrast to the Algerian side they eliminated.
What’s Next at AFCON 2025?
With Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, and Morocco remaining, AFCON 2025 is shaping up for a thrilling finale. As the pressure intensifies, fans across the continent can expect high-quality football, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments.
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