AFCON: Egypt advance to semi-finals after narrow win against Ivory Coast

Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt defeated defending champions Ivory Coast 3-2 in a thrilling 1XBET Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Saturday at the Grand Stadium in Agadir.

Omar Marmoush opened the scoring for Egypt just three minutes into the game, capitalizing on a slip from Ivory Coast defender Odilon Kossounou. Ramy Rabia added a second with a looping header from a Salah corner in the 32nd minute. However, Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh’s own goal before half-time reduced the deficit for the Elephants.

Salah restored Egypt’s two-goal lead seven minutes into the second half, finishing a low cross from Emam Ashour, while Guela Doue pulled another back for Ivory Coast in the 73rd minute.

The victory puts Egypt two matches away from a record-extending eighth AFCON title. The Pharaohs will face Senegal in Tangiers on Wednesday, with the winner meeting hosts Morocco or Nigeria in the final.

Egypt’s triumph confirms their historical dominance over Ivory Coast in AFCON encounters. The Pharaohs have won 11 of 12 previous clashes, while the Elephants have claimed the trophy only once. Notably, Ivory Coast becomes the eighth consecutive defending champion unable to retain the title since Egypt last did so in 2010.

Salah, 33, who has won almost every club honour with Liverpool, is still chasing the prized AFCON medal. He has twice finished runner-up, losing in the final to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal five years later.

Despite recent uncertainty over his Liverpool future, Salah has been back to his best at AFCON, scoring decisive goals against Zimbabwe, South Africa, Benin, and now Ivory Coast.

Egypt’s early lead was sparked by Marmoush’s quick strike following a superb pass from Emam Ashour, with Rabia doubling the advantage before half-time. The Ivorian own goal briefly brought the champions back into the game, but Salah’s clinical finish early in the second half restored Egypt’s two-goal cushion.