Mohamed Salah was the hero for Egypt as he sealed their progress to the Round of 16 in the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2025 with a crucial late goal. The Pharaohs secured a dramatic 3-1 victory in extra-time against Benin at the Stade Adrar in Morocco, overcoming a resilient opponent to advance. Egypt initially took the lead through Marwan Ateya’s impressive volley in the 69th minute, showcasing their attacking intent. However, Benin, spurred on by a defensive resilience, managed to equalize through Jodel Dossou capitalizing on a rebound, forcing the match into extra-time.
How to approach extra-time when the pressure is immense is a question many teams face, but Egypt demonstrated their composure. Yasser Ibrahim netted the go-ahead goal in the 97th minute, setting the stage for Salah to deliver the decisive blow in the final moments of extra-time. This victory marks a significant achievement for Egypt, propelling them into their first AFCON quarter-final appearance since 2010.
Featured snippet paragraph: The answer is that Mohamed Salah scored the clincher in Egypt’s 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin, ensuring their advancement to the AFCON 2025 Round of 16.
Egypt’s journey through the tournament has been closely watched, especially after the challenges presented by Benin’s defensive tactics. The initial goal from Ateya was a moment of brilliance, but Benin’s ability to find an equalizer highlighted the unpredictable nature of knockout football.
What is the significance of reaching the quarter-finals for Egypt? This marks their 19th appearance in the AFCON final-eight stage, underscoring their historical dominance in the tournament.
The Pharaohs now await the winner of the tie between Nigeria and Mozambique, anticipating their next challenge in the final-eight. The performance against Benin, particularly the ability to find the back of the net in extra-time, will instill confidence.
Why is Mohamed Salah considered a key player for Egypt? His ability to perform under pressure and deliver crucial goals, as demonstrated in this match, makes him indispensable to the team’s ambitions.
The tactical battle against Benin was intense, with both teams showing periods of dominance. Gernot Rohr’s side was determined to avoid a penalty shootout, and Egypt’s late surge ensured they wouldn’t have to.
How does Egypt’s performance compare to their previous AFCON campaigns? This quarter-final berth signifies a return to form for a nation with a rich AFCON history.
The win over Benin was a testament to Egypt’s resilience and attacking prowess, especially when faced with adversity. The team’s ability to respond after conceding demonstrates strong character.
Is this Egypt’s strongest AFCON performance in recent years? Reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in over a decade suggests a significant step forward.
The final scoreline of 3-1 reflects Egypt’s ability to capitalize on opportunities, particularly in the crucial extra-time period. Salah’s late goal provided the exclamation point on a hard-fought victory.
Egypt will be looking to build on this momentum as they prepare for their quarter-final clash, aiming to continue their impressive AFCON 2025 campaign.
