AFCON: Al Ahly stars lift Egypt past Benin

Al Ahly SC teammates Marwan Attia and Yasser Ibrahim each scored their first national team goals as Egypt advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Monday’s 3-1 victory over Benin after extra time at the Stade Adrar in Agadir, Morocco.

Central midfielder Attia’s first goal for his nation was a fantastic curling effort to put the Pharaohs in the lead. Jodel Dossou’s late equalizer leveled the match for the Cheetahs but a perfectly placed header from Ibrahim made the difference for the North Africans in extra time. Star forward Mohamed Salah added his third goal of the tournament and tenth career AFCON goal in the final seconds.

It was an ideal start for Benin, who held the record 7-time AFCON champions to a scoreless stalemate in the first half. The closest either team came to scoring was in the 20th minute when Cheetahs defender Olivier Verdon cleared off the goal line after a low shot attempt snuck by goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.

Both teams were forced to make injury substitutions, with Egypt left back Mohamed Hamdy likely out for the tournament with a knee injury after Ahmed Fatouh came on just before halftime. On the other end, Tosin Aiyegun was also forced to make way for Dossou after suffering a knock thirty minutes into the match.

But the Cheetahs struggled to provide a serious threat to the Egyptian defense and the North African favorites struck the first blow. Right back Mohamed Hany combined with Mohamed Salah to find space on the right wing in the Beninese penalty area. The Al Ahly defender’s low cross snuck through to the edge of the penalty area where club teammate Attia’s shot left Dandjinou with no chance.

It appeared that Benin was on their way to defeat but suspense returned to the match in the 89th minute. Poor passing by the Egyptian defense resulted in a cross from Junior Olaitan that took a big deflection. Pharaohs goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy did well to save but could only slap the ball in front of his goal where Dossou arrived to apply the finishing touch from a yard out.

Salah had an excellent opportunity to win it late when he got in behind the Beninese defense on the right wing, but the ball did not sit well for the Liverpool forward and he could only manage a tame shot that was handled without problem by Dandjinou.

Tension was high for the favorites but the Pharaohs were saved by another player who scored his first goal for his country. A short corner kick in the 97th minute went out to Attia, whose cross found the head of Ibrahim for a spectacular header that went just beyond the reach of Dandjinou’s desperate dive for the crucial winning goal.

With the Cheetahs desperately pushing for an equalizer in the final seconds, Salah got behind the defense in the final moments and finished past Dandjinou to spark the celebrations.

Egypt will stay in Agadir for their quarterfinal match which will take place on Saturday. The Pharaohs will face the winner of Tuesday’s later Round of 16 clash between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.