AFCON: Egypt discovers top form to take down Ivory Coast

Record African champions Egypt turned in a timely performance to advance to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinals with a 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday evening to conclude the quarterfinal stage in Morocco.

Midfielder Emam Ashour was influential with two assists to set up goals from Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah, including Marmoush’s 4th minute opener. Ramy Rabia headed in Salah’s corner kick for the Pharaohs to jump out to a two-goal lead in the first half. Salah’s goal restored a two-goal advantage early in the second half before Egypt held off a late charge to advance.

After inconsistent performances through the group stage and in their Round of 16 victory over Benin, Egypt’s stars rose to the occasion against an Elephants side that was expected to pose a far stiffer challenge. But when Ashour’s pass sent Marmoush behind the Ivorian defense to finish inside five minutes, the North Africans seized control.

A shock to the confident Ivorian team was complete soon after the half hour mark. Central defender Rabia leaped up to produce a looping header from Salah’s corner kick and the ball went beyond the reach of Elephants goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

Before halftime, the Ivory Coast responded when Yan Diomande’s 40th minute corner kick was flicked on by defender Odilon Kossounou and the ball went off Egypt left back Ahmed Fatouh for an own goal. But the Elephants never found their stride and Ashour’s brilliant cross found Salah to finish for his fourth goal of the competition in the 52nd minute.

The Elephants did make one final charge for the final half hour. In the 73rd minute, Amad Diallo’s corner kick was headed back across the 6-yard box by substitute Jean-Philippe Krasso and Guela Doué applied the final touch to make it 2-3. Egypt was troubled by a few crosses that led to headed shots on goal but goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and his defense remained organized to hold on for the victory.

Egypt advance to the semifinals where they will face Senegal in a rematch of the 2021 AFCON final. The two teams will begin the final four on Wednesday in Tangier before Nigeria clash with hosts Morocco in Rabat later on Wednesday.