AFCON 2025 (Round of 16):
- Egypt 3-1 Benin
- Nigeria 4-0 Mozambique
Egypt secured a berth at 2025 AFCON quarter-finals following a nerve cracking 3–1 extra-time victory over Benin at Adrar stadium in Agadir on Monday evening.
Normal time of this clash had ended 1 goal apiece, forcing the extra 30 minutes where Egypt scored two goals to book a quarter final slot as they await the winner between the reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
Egypt started on the front foot, dominating possession in the opening stages but struggling to translate control into clear-cut chances.
The first real opportunity arrived in the eighth minute when Mohamed Salah threaded a through ball to Omar Marmoush, whose burst toward goal was halted by a save from Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
Not long after, Ibrahim Adel appealed for a penalty after going down, but the referee waved play on. Benin were then forced into an early change in the 32nd minute,with Jodel Dossou replacing the injured Aiyegun Tosin.
Egypt faced their own problems late in the first half when left-back Mohamed Hamdy suffered an ACL injury and was stretchered off, prompting Ahmed Fattouh’s introduction.
The second half was off to a slow start. Egypt went close through Rami Rabia, whose left-footed effort was deflected.
Injuries continued to disrupt Egypt’s rhythm. Mahmoud Trezeguet was forced off in the 59th minute alongside Ibrahim Adel. Hossam Hassan responded by introducing Emam Ashour and Ahmed Sayed “Zizo”.
Benin threatened briefly, only for Mohamed El Shenawy to produce a save in the 64th minute.
Moments later, Egypt finally broke the deadlock. Marwan Attia unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box in the 69th minute, giving the Pharaohs a deserved lead.
However, Egypt were pegged back in the 83rd minute in chaotic fashion. A misplaced pass from El Shenawy allowed Benin to recycle possession, and a deflected cross caused confusion in the box.
El Shenawy initially kept the ball out, but Dossou reacted quickly to tap home the equaliser.
Salah and Zizo later found themselves two-on-one with the goalkeeper. But Salah opted to shoot rather than square the ball, allowing Dandjinou to keep Benin alive and send the match into extra time.
Extra time:
Egypt reasserted control in extra time and regained the lead in the 97th minute.
A Marwan Attia delivery into the box was met by Yasser Ibrahim, whose header beat the Benin goalkeeper to restore the advantage.
Benin faded physically as Egypt pushed for a decisive third goal. That moment arrived late in the second period of extra time when Zizo slipped a pass through to Salah, who scored to secure the Pharaohs’ place in the AFCON last eight.
The win carried added significance. It marked the first time Egypt scored more than two goals in an AFCON match since their famous 4–0 win over Algeria in 2010, the same tournament they last lifted the trophy.
Salah’s strike was also his 10th career goal at the AFCON.
Additionally, the goals by Marwan Attia and Yasser Ibrahim were the duo’s debut goals in the competition.
The round of 16 stage climaxes on Tuesday, 6th January 2026 with two matches.
The early kick off has Algeria with Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat with the victor facing Nigeria at the quarter finals.
Cote D’Ivoire face Burkina Faso in Marakech city.
*Additional information by King Fut