AFCON 2025: Mo Salah seals hard fought victory over Benin to send Egypt to quarters

Record African champions Egypt left it agonisingly late to seal passage into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, edging past a gallant Benin side 3-1 after extra time to reach the last eight for a record 22nd time in their history.

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Second-half and extra-time goals from Marwan Attia, Yasser Ibrahim, and captain Mohamed Salah proved decisive as the Pharaohs eventually subdued Benin’s spirited resistance in a pulsating knockout encounter at the ongoing 35th edition of AFCON.

With qualification on the line in a do-or-die contest, both nations entered the tie knowing only victory would secure progression.

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Egypt, unbeaten in their opening three matches and dominant historically in this fixture, were keen to stretch their unbeaten run over Benin to five games.

Benin, meanwhile, arrived as underdogs after qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams but carried belief that they could end a four-match winless streak against the Pharaohs and reach the quarter-finals for a second consecutive time, an achievement that would rank among the finest moments in their football history following their 2019 breakthrough.

The match burst into life at a frenetic pace, with both sides searching for an early breakthrough to ease the path to the quarter-finals. Egypt registered the first meaningful effort inside seven minutes when Mohamed Salah latched onto a through ball from Hamdy Fathy, but his attempted volley drifted narrowly wide.

The Pharaohs threatened again through Omar Marmoush, the Manchester City forward, skipping past his marker after a clever pass from Marwan Attia, only to miss from close range.

Benin responded with purpose and nearly stunned their illustrious opponents midway through the half.

A slick midfield move involving Rodolfo Aloko and Dodo Dokou ended with Aiyegun Tosin heading over from a promising position.

Egypt continued to probe, with Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan flashing an effort just wide after racing onto Salah’s pass, while Benin wasted another golden opportunity shortly before the interval as Imourane Hassane failed to guide his header on target from a well-delivered Aloko cross.

The Cheetahs were forced into an early change when Tosin limped off injured, replaced by Emmanuel Dossou, who almost made an immediate impact.

His sharp interplay with Aloko created a clear chance for Dokou, but the midfielder squandered a gilt-edged opportunity from close range.

Despite late first-half efforts at either end, including a Salah free-kick that caused panic in the Benin box, the sides went into the break deadlocked.

Egypt emerged after the restart with renewed urgency and came close when Ramy Rabia’s effort from a Salah corner was bravely blocked by goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.

Salah himself later attempted an audacious chip, but the Benin custodian read the danger well.

After sustained pressure, Egypt finally broke the deadlock 21 minutes from time.

A sweeping move involving Salah and Mohamed Hany ended with a precise cut-back for Marwan Attia, who struck a powerful, curling effort that slipped through Dandjinou’s grasp to give Egypt a deserved lead.

Benin refused to wilt and continued to press.

Their persistence paid off eight minutes from time when substitute Jodel Dossou reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box after a superb initial save from Mohamed El-Shenawy, firing home the equaliser to spark wild celebrations among the Benin contingent.

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Despite late chances, including a Salah effort well saved by Dandjinou, normal time ended 1-1, setting the stage for a gripping extra-time showdown.

Six minutes into extra time, Egypt reclaimed the lead.

Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to power home a header from Marwan Attia’s expertly delivered ball, restoring Egypt's advantage.

Benin pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but Egypt’s defence stood firm.

As the match entered its final moments, the Pharaohs delivered the decisive blow.

A swift counter-attack saw Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed release Mohamed Salah, who surged clear before delicately chipping the ball past Dandjinou with his left foot to seal the victory in stoppage time.

The win extends Egypt’s dominance over Benin and sees the seven-time champions become the fifth team, alongside Morocco, Mali, Senegal, and Cameroon, to book a place in the quarter-finals.

For Benin, elimination comes with heads held high after a brave and disciplined display that pushed Africa’s most successful nation to the very limit.