Mohamed Salah struck late in extra time as Egypt booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night, overcoming a stubborn Benin side 3-1 in a hard-fought Round of 16 encounter.
The clash between the Pharaohs and the Cheetahs lived up to expectations, with both teams producing an intense and evenly matched contest as they battled for a spot in the last eight.
Egypt enjoyed slightly more possession in the first half, but chances were evenly shared, with both sides registering two attempts each. Clear openings were limited, however, as neither team managed to test the goalkeeper more than once, leaving the scoreline goalless at the break.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 69th minute at Stade Adrar when Mohamed Hany released Marwan Attia, who controlled the pass before firing a powerful strike from the edge of the Benin penalty area into the net to give Egypt the lead.
Powerful. Decisive. Marwan Attia. 🇪🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/GF0nmnVsSZ
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 5, 2026
Benin responded with resilience and refused to be overawed, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 83rd minute when Jodel Dossou finished from close range to restore parity and force the match towards extra time.
Dossou, wasting no chance. 🇧🇯#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/bczq3ixluz
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 5, 2026
With the score level after 90 minutes, both sides were given an additional 30 minutes to settle the contest. Seven minutes into the first half of extra time, Egypt regained the advantage as Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to head home a cross delivered by Marwan Attia, making it 2-1.
Heading Egypt straight to the quarters. Yasser Ibrahim. 🇪🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/jOOeQ6YSAX
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 5, 2026
As Benin committed players forward in the closing moments, Egypt struck the decisive blow. In the final seconds of the match, Salah capped a commanding performance by scoring with the last attack of the game, sealing a deserved 3-1 victory for the Pharaohs.
Scoring every time out? We’ll get used to it, Mo. 😉🇪🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/ppmeSvIcji
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 5, 2026
Egypt will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the Round of 16 tie between Nigeria and Mozambique.
