Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt edged past defending champions Ivory Coast 3–2 in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Saturday.
Omar Marmoush and Ramy Rabia put Egypt firmly in control before an Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh own goal reduced the deficit just before half-time. Salah restored Egypt’s two-goal cushion shortly after the break, before Guela Doue set up a tense finale with a late strike for Ivory Coast.
The victory moves Egypt a step closer to a record-extending eighth AFCON title. They will face Senegal in the semi-finals on Wednesday in Tangiers, with the winners meeting either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in Sunday’s final.
Played in Agadir, the win underlined Egypt’s long-standing dominance over Ivory Coast at the tournament. Since their first AFCON meeting 56 years ago, the Pharaohs have now beaten the Elephants 11 times, with Ivory Coast claiming just one victory.
Ivory Coast also became the eighth consecutive defending champions to fail to retain the title, a feat last achieved by Egypt in 2010.
For Salah, the tournament represents another opportunity to capture the most coveted honour in African football — one that has so far eluded him despite a glittering club career that includes Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup titles with Liverpool.
The 33-year-old has twice finished as AFCON runner-up, losing finals to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2022, and was also part of Egyptian sides eliminated unexpectedly in the last 16 on two occasions. Now, with two matches remaining, he is within touching distance of fulfilling his long-held ambition.
Salah arrived in Morocco amid uncertainty over his future at Liverpool following a public post-match outburst after a draw at Leeds United, during which he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” after being dropped to the substitutes’ bench.
However, he has rediscovered his clinical edge at the AFCON, scoring decisive goals against Zimbabwe and South Africa in the group stage, before sealing a last-16 win over Benin.
Egypt struck early, taking the lead just 182 seconds after kick-off. Ivory Coast lost possession, Emam Ashour threaded a superb pass through the defence, and Manchester City striker Marmoush capitalised on Odilon Kossounou’s slip to beat goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
The lead was doubled on 32 minutes when Rabia rose above Ibrahim Sangare at the far post to meet a Salah corner, his looping header sailing over Fofana.
Ivory Coast responded five minutes before the interval when Aboul-Fetouh turned the ball into his own net. A free kick from 19-year-old RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande was flicked goalwards by Kossounou and deflected in off the Egyptian defender.
Salah restored Egypt’s two-goal advantage seven minutes into the second half. Ashour won possession on the left and delivered a perfectly weighted low cross, which Salah calmly converted despite pressure from Ghislain Konan.
Ivory Coast mounted a late push and pulled another goal back in the 73rd minute when Egypt failed to clear a corner, allowing Doue to flick the ball past 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and ensure a nervy finish.
Egypt, however, held firm to book their place in the semi-finals.
AFP
