Salah’s Extra-Time Magic Sends Egypt Past Brave Benin at AFCON 2025
What was expected to be a routine knockout win for Egypt turned into a tense, exhausting, and dramatic night as the seven-time African champions were pushed to their limits by a fearless Benin side. In the end, Egypt survived the scare, winning 3-1 after extra time to book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-finals, but this was anything but straightforward.
For the first half, frustration was the dominant emotion. Egypt controlled possession, moved the ball patiently, and searched for openings, yet Benin’s defensive shape was disciplined and stubborn. Chances were limited, the tempo was cautious, and the scoreboard remained untouched at the break. It was clear that Benin had come with a plan to absorb pressure and strike when the moment arrived.
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That moment nearly arrived late in normal time, but before the drama unfolded, Egypt finally broke through. Marwan Attia stepped up in the 69th minute and curled a superb strike from the edge of the box, a goal that felt like it might settle nerves and send Egypt through. Instead, it seemed to awaken Benin. Rather than retreat, they grew bolder, pressing higher and believing that an equaliser could be found.
That belief was rewarded in the 83rd minute. A dangerous ball into the box caused chaos, and Jodel Dossou was on hand to finish from close range after a deflection wrong-footed the Egyptian goalkeeper. Suddenly, Egypt were rattled, Benin were bouncing, and extra time became unavoidable.
As fatigue began to weigh heavily on both sides, Egypt’s experience started to show. Early in extra time, a well-worked corner was delivered into the box, and Yasser Ibrahim rose calmly to guide a perfect header into the net. It was a crucial moment, one that shifted momentum back toward the favourites.
Benin continued to fight, but the energy that had driven their comeback slowly drained away. In the dying seconds, with Benin committing bodies forward, Egypt broke at speed. Mohamed Salah found space, spotted the goalkeeper off his line, and coolly slotted the ball home from distance to seal the victory. It was his tenth goal in AFCON history and another reminder of his ability to deliver when it matters most.
Egypt march on to the quarter-finals, where either Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso awaits. Benin, despite the defeat, leave with pride intact after producing a performance full of courage, organisation, and belief that pushed African football’s most decorated side all the way.
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