Egypt booked their place in the AFCON 2025 semifinal following a thrilling 3–2 win over Cote d’Ivoire in Agadir.
Egypt struck almost immediately, punishing an early defensive lapse from Odilon Kossounou. The Ivorian defender’s mistake was impressively used by Omar Marmoush, who gave the Pharaohs the lead.
Cote d’Ivoire took time to steady themselves after the early blow, but just as they began to grow into the match, Egypt hit again. Salah swung in a superb delivery that Ramy Rabia turned into the net, doubling the advantage and shifting the tie further in their favour.
However, Cote d’Ivoire refused to fold. They pulled one back before the interval after an unfortunate Ahmed Fattouh own goal, reducing the gap to 2–1 and ensuring the match remained alive going into half-time.
Regardless, Hossam Hassan’s side came back refreshed after the break and restored a two-goal cushion for Egypt in the 52nd minute through Salah, whose finish looked, briefly, like the decisive moment. But Cote d’Ivoire again found a way back in the 73rd minute through Guéla Doué.
Cote d’Ivoire threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser, pushing until the final moments, but Mohamed El Shenawy produced a series of saves to secure the win.
The result sends Egypt into the last four, where they will face Senegal on Wednesday, January 14, with a place in the final on the line. The last time the two met in the AFCON was in the 2022 final, which Senegal won.
Salah’s records and Golden Boot race
Salah’s goal also came with records. He has now scored 11 AFCON goals against 11 different national teams, a tournament record for goals against the widest variety of opponents. He also became the only Egyptian player to score in four consecutive AFCON matches he has appeared in as he did not feature in the goalless group-stage draw against Angola.
In the Golden Boot race, Salah is now level with Victor Osimhen on four goals, both trailing Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, who leads the charts with five.