AFCON 2025 Quarterfinals: Egypt’s Path to Victory with Salah

A Night of High Drama in Agadir

The road to glory is rarely a straight line, and the Egyptian national team learned this lesson on Monday, January 5, 2026. In a match that pushed the seven-time champions to their absolute limit, Mohamed Salah emerged as the hero once again. The Pharaohs faced a fearless Benin side in the Round of 16 at the Stade d’Agadir in Morocco. AFCON 2025

While many expected a comfortable win for the North African giants, the “Cheetahs” of Benin had other plans. It took 120 minutes of grueling football and a moment of pure magic from Salah to settle the tie. Consequently, Egypt has secured its spot in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals, keeping the dream of a record eighth title alive.

Breaking the Deadlock in the Second Half

The first half was a tense affair, with Benin’s deep defensive line frustrating the Egyptian attackers. However, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute. Midfielder Marwan Attia produced a moment of individual brilliance that lit up the stadium.

After a neat combination play involving Mohamed Hany and Salah, Attia found space at the edge of the box. He unleashed a powerful, curling strike that flew into the top corner of the net. This goal seemed to be the decisive blow that would send Egypt through in regulation time. At that moment, the Egyptian supporters in the stands were certain that the job was done.

The Cheetahs Strike Back Late

Benin, however, refused to go down without a fight. Despite being 57 places below Egypt in the world rankings, they pushed forward with incredible grit. In the 83rd minute, a slice of fortune turned the game on its head. A deflected cross from Junior Olaitan forced a difficult save from Mohamed El Shenawy.

While the keeper managed to claw the ball off the line, Jodel Dossou was the quickest to react. He bundled the loose ball into the net to equalize for Benin. This late goal stunned the Pharaohs and forced the match into an additional thirty minutes of extra time.

Yasser Ibrahim Restores the Lead

As the first period of extra time began, the pressure on Egypt was immense. They needed a leader to step up, and it was center-back Yasser Ibrahim who answered the call. In the 97th minute, Egypt earned a corner following a deflected shot from Omar Marmoush.

Marwan Attia delivered a pinpoint cross into the heart of the box. Ibrahim rose higher than the entire Benin defense to connect with a looping header. The ball sailed over the goalkeeper and into the far corner. This goal restored Egypt’s lead and settled the nerves of the fans. It was a classic “defender’s goal” that rewarded Egypt’s persistent pressure.

Salah’s Historic Record-Breaking Strike

With Benin committing every player forward in search of another equalizer, the game became wide open. In the very last minute of extra time, the stage was set for the “Egyptian King.” Mohamed Salah received a through ball from Zizo and found himself in a one-on-one race with the defense.

Showing his trademark composure, Salah carried the ball into the area and curled it past the keeper with the outside of his boot. This was Salah’s 10th AFCON goal and his 66th international goal overall. Most importantly, this strike allowed him to surpass the record of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba for international goals.

A Costly Victory for the Pharaohs

While the win brought joy, it also came with a significant cost. Just before halftime, left-back Mohamed Hamdy suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury. The defender was involved in a heavy collision and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.

Manager Hossam Hassan expressed his sadness after the match, noting that the injury “cast a shadow” over the victory. The medical team is currently assessing the extent of the damage to his ligaments. Losing a key defender at this stage of the tournament is a major blow. The team will now have to find a way to adapt before the next big challenge.

The Defensive Masterclass from Benin

It is important to give credit to the Benin national team for their “never-say-die” spirit. Goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou was arguably the player of the tournament for the Cheetahs. He made several world-class saves, including a brilliant reflex stop against Salah early in the match.

Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, stated he was “proud of the attitude” shown by his players. They reached the knockout stage for the second time in their history and nearly pulled off the biggest upset of 2026. Although they exit the tournament, they do so with their heads held high and the respect of all African football fans.

Preparing for the Quarterfinal Challenge

Egypt will not have much time to celebrate this hard-fought victory. They are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, January 10, 2026. They will remain in the coastal city of Agadir to face the winner of the match between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Facing the defending champions, Ivory Coast, would be a massive test for Hossam Hassan’s squad.

The manager has already called for a “proper recovery” period for his players. He emphasized that the mental strength shown in extra time will be essential for the next round. The Pharaohs are now just three wins away from making history.

Salah’s Humble Post-Match Reaction AFCON 2025

Despite his record-breaking goal, Mohamed Salah remained very humble in his post-match comments. He told reporters that Egypt is “not among the favorites” to win the trophy this year. Many experts believe Salah is saying this to take the pressure off his younger teammates. AFCON 2025

He pointed out that there are “no easy games” in modern African football. Salah’s focus is entirely on the team’s collective effort rather than his individual records. He has twice been a runner-up in this tournament and is desperate to win his first winners’ medal. This hunger is what continues to drive the Egyptian team forward. AFCON 2025

The Pharaohs March On AFCON 2025

In conclusion, Egypt’s victory over Benin was a testament to their resilience and star power. While they were pushed to the brink, the experience of players like Salah and Yasser Ibrahim proved decisive. The path to the AFCON 2025 final is now becoming clearer, but the hurdles are getting higher. AFCON 2025

With the quarterfinals just days away, the nation of Egypt is holding its breath. Can Salah finally lead his country back to the top of African football? For now, the Pharaohs can enjoy their progression, but the “real battle” for the crown is only just beginning. AFCON 2025

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