Record seven-time champions Egypt secured a 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 quarter-final at the Grand Stade d’Agadir on Saturday, January 10.
The match, which remained fiercely contested throughout, finished level after extra time before Egypt held their nerve to triumph in a dramatic penalty shootout, keeping their bid for an eighth continental crown alive.
Mohamed Salah starred for the Pharaohs, scoring and providing an assist as Egypt absorbed sustained Ivorian pressure and proved clinical in front of goal.
Omar Marmoush opened the scoring in the fourth minute, timing his run perfectly on a through ball from Emam Ashour to slot past the Ivorian goalkeeper and give Egypt an early lead.
Côte d’Ivoire responded strongly, dominating possession and pressing Egypt’s defence with a series of dangerous crosses from Diallo and Diomandé, while Guessand probed repeatedly for an equaliser. Despite the pressure, goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and his defenders held firm.
Egypt continued to punish Ivorian lapses at crucial moments, with Salah instrumental in orchestrating the Pharaohs’ attacks. Côte d’Ivoire eventually pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Guéla Doué converted a scramble in the box, reducing the deficit to 3-2.
The closing stages were frantic, with the Elephants committing numbers forward. Corners, crosses, and aerial deliveries rained into the Egyptian area, but El Shenawy, even after receiving a booking for time-wasting, and his backline stood resolute to see out the win.
Ruthlessly efficient despite being under pressure for large periods, Egypt eliminated Côte d’Ivoire and advanced to the semi-finals, reinforcing their record as the most successful nation in Africa Cup of Nations history.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the defeat ends their title defence and concludes their AFCON 2025 campaign, despite a spirited performance that challenged the Pharaohs to the very end.
