Mohamed Salah delivered a dramatic stoppage-time winner for Egypt, securing a crucial 2-1 comeback victory over Zimbabwe in their opening Group B fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Liverpool talisman’s late strike in Agadir, Morocco, spared the Pharaohs from a potential draw against a spirited Zimbabwean side that had held a surprise lead for much of the encounter. This hard-fought win provides Egypt, record seven-time champions, with a vital three points as they commence their campaign for continental glory, setting an early marker in a potentially challenging group.
The match began with an unexpected and electrifying turn as Zimbabwe, often considered underdogs against the continental giants, stunned Egypt by taking the lead in the 20th minute. A well-orchestrated attacking sequence saw Emmanuel Jalai thread a precise through pass into the path of Prince Dube. The forward demonstrated remarkable composure and clinical finishing, slotting the ball calmly past Egypt’s experienced goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy, to send a ripple of shock through the stadium and ignite the Zimbabwean contingent. Following their opener, the Warriors, under pressure, adopted a disciplined and resilient defensive strategy.
Zimbabwe’s tactical discipline effectively frustrated Egypt’s attempts to penetrate their rearguard throughout the first half. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and dictating the tempo, the Pharaohs found clear-cut chances difficult to fashion against Zimbabwe’s compact formation and resolute backline. Efforts from key players like Emam Ashour, who came closest to levelling the score before the half-time whistle, narrowly missed, while other attempts from Trezeguet and Omar Marmoush were capably dealt with by Zimbabwe’s alert goalkeeper, Washington Arubi. The unfancied Warriors maintained their surprising lead into the interval, testament to their defensive organisation and determination.
Egypt emerged for the second half with palpable renewed intensity and a clear determination to break down Zimbabwe’s stubborn resistance. Their persistent pressure and increased tempo eventually paid dividends in the 64th minute, injecting much-needed belief into the squad. Omar Marmoush, exhibiting excellent individual skill and tenacity, managed to outmanoeuvre his marker on the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful, rising shot that flew unerringly under the crossbar. The strike left Arubi with no chance, restoring parity to the contest and galvanising the Egyptian squad, signaling a significant shift in momentum and intent.
With the score now level, the Pharaohs intensified their assault on the Zimbabwean goal, sensing that a winning goal was within reach as their opponents visibly began to tire under the relentless pressure. Wave after wave of Egyptian attacks tested the Warriors’ fading resolve, with Zizo, Mostafa Mohamed, and Ibrahim Adel all creating promising opportunities that, frustratingly for the home side, either missed the target by fine margins or were thwarted by desperate, last-ditch defending. As the clock ticked towards full-time, a draw seemed an increasingly likely outcome, despite Egypt’s overwhelming dominance in the latter stages of the game, raising the tension amongst supporters.
Just as the match entered its decisive phase, deep into added time, Egypt’s captain and undisputed talisman, Mohamed Salah, stepped forward to claim the moment of glory. Receiving a precise pass from Mostafa Mohamed, Salah demonstrated his characteristic composure and predatory instinct, honed over years at the elite level. With a swift, controlled touch, he adjusted his body before dispatching a low, accurate shot into the bottom right corner of the net, beyond the despairing dive of Arubi, who had otherwise performed admirably. The goal, arriving in the first minute of stoppage time, completed a dramatic and hard-fought comeback for Egypt, sparking jubilant celebrations.
Zimbabwe, having fought valiantly and defied expectations throughout much of the contest, found themselves with no time to mount a response following Salah’s late heroics. The final whistle blew shortly after, confirming Egypt’s 2-1 victory and securing all three points from a challenging opening fixture. This result positions Egypt favourably in Group B, providing a significant boost in their pursuit of qualification for the knockout stages and reinforcing their reputation for resilience. For Zimbabwe, it was a performance that highlighted their potential to challenge established teams, despite ultimately yielding no points, offering both disappointment and encouragement for their remaining group matches.
