Captain Mohamed Salah scored in the 124th minute to secure a 3-1 extra-time victory for Egypt over resilient Benin in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last-16 clash in Agadir on Monday.
Marwan Attia had put the Pharaohs ahead in the second half before Jodel Dossou equalized for the Cheetahs, sending the match into extra time in the southern Moroccan coastal city.
In the first half of extra time, Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt back in front. Salah then sealed the win with a stunning strike from outside the area, beating goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou for his 10th AFCON goal.
Salah, who has scored crucial goals for Liverpool in domestic and European competitions, is still chasing his first AFCON winners’ medal, having finished as runner-up twice.
Egypt, record seven-time champions, remain in Agadir to face either title-holders Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
The Pharaohs made 10 changes from the team that drew with Angola in their final group match last week, retaining only midfielder Ibrahim Adel. Like many other AFCON sides already assured of progression, Egypt fielded a largely rotated squad.
Benin, missing captain and former Premier League striker Steve Mounie due to illness, put up a spirited fight.
Early on, Egypt threatened through Omar Marmoush, who raced forward from midfield in the 8th minute, evading two defenders, only to see Dandjinou block his shot. Soon after, Yohan Roche cleared another effort off the line for the visitors.
A collision between Mohamed Hamdy and Rodolfo Aloko led to a long delay, with Hamdy carried off and replaced by Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh. Despite Egypt dominating possession, Benin remained dangerous on the counter, with Hamdy Fathy making a crucial sliding tackle to halt a breakaway.
In stoppage time of the first half, Benin’s defense crowded Salah whenever he received the ball, wary of his threat. Ten minutes into the second half, Dandjinou denied Ramy Rabia with a brave parry after a corner.
As the game passed the hour mark, chances began to flow. Salah’s chipped effort was tipped over by Dandjinou, while El Shenawy prevented Dossou from giving Benin a shock lead.
Egypt finally broke the deadlock when Marmoush set up Marwan Attia, who side-footed the ball into the roof of the net from just outside the box.
Benin refused to yield, equalizing in the 83rd minute. Dossou, 33, capitalized on a rebound after El Shenawy had parried a cross, slotting the ball into the net.
In extra time, Egypt reclaimed the lead through Yasser Ibrahim, who nodded home Attia’s short-corner delivery. Salah then capped the thrilling contest with a third goal, ensuring Egypt advanced to the quarter-finals.
AFP
