AFCON 2025: Clinical Egypt beat Cote d'Ivoire in five-goal thriller to reach semi-finals
Record seven-time champions Egypt booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging past defending champions Côte d’Ivoire 3-2 in a tense and dramatic quarter-final encounter on Saturday, January 10.
Played at the Grand Stade d'Agadir, the Egyptians prevailed after a fiercely contested battle that finished level after extra time, before Egypt held their nerve to win on penalties and keep alive their quest for an eighth continental crown.
Mohamed Salah scored and provided an assist as Egypt withstood sustained Ivorian pressure to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory in a thrilling AFCON quarter-final, where the Pharaohs’ clinical finishing proved decisive against the Elephants’ territorial dominance.
Omar Marmoush set the tone early, opening the scoring in the fourth minute. Played through by Emam Ashour, the Manchester City forward timed his run perfectly and finished past the Ivorian goalkeeper to give Egypt an early lead.
Ivory Coast responded by seizing control of possession and laying siege to the Egyptian penalty area. Diallo and Diomandé delivered a succession of crosses, while Guessand probed relentlessly in search of an opening. Despite the pressure, goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and his defence bent but did not break.
Egypt’s efficiency in front of goal continued to make the difference, with Salah influential throughout as the Pharaohs punished Ivorian lapses at key moments.
Émerse Faé’s side refused to relent and eventually pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Guéla Doué reduced the deficit following a chaotic scramble in the box to make it 3-2.
The closing stages were frantic, with Côte d’Ivoire throwing everything forward. Corners, crosses and aerial deliveries rained into the Egyptian area, which became a red-clad fortress. El Shenawy, booked for time-wasting, and his defenders stood firm to see out the match.
Outplayed for long spells but ruthlessly efficient, Egypt eliminated Côte d’Ivoire and marched on in the tournament, once again underlining their status as the most successful nation in Africa Cup of Nations history.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the defeat ends their title defence and brings an end to their AFCON 2025 campaign, despite a spirited performance that pushed Egypt all the way.
