Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah scored the Pharaohs’ last goal as Egypt overcame Benin 3-1 after extra time in a gripping AFCON 2025 round of 16 clash at Stade Adrar Arena. Egypt initially took the lead in the 69th minute through Marwan Attia, but Benin’s Jodel Dossou equalized in the 83rd minute, forcing extra time. Defender Yasser Ibrahim put Egypt back ahead in the 97th minute, yet it was Salah’s clinical strike in the 120+4th minute that sealed the victory and propelled Egypt into the quarter-finals.
With this win, Egypt now faces either Burkina Faso or the reigning champions Ivory Coast in a highly anticipated quarter-final showdown. Salah’s late goal underscored his relentless finishing prowess and leadership, carrying Egypt deeper into the tournament and reminding fans why the Liverpool winger remains a key figure for the Pharaohs.
Egypt’s progress is even more impressive given the composition of Group B, which included Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola, and Egypt. Zimbabwe and Angola were eliminated in the group stages, while South Africa fell to Cameroon in the round of 16. Egypt emerged as the only team from the group to advance after all the Southern African teams bowed out.
Coach Hossam Hassan’s substitutions, including Eman Ashour and Mostafa Mohamed, added tactical freshness that kept Benin’s defense unsettled. The Pharaohs’ resilience, combined with Salah’s trademark finishing, proved decisive as they march toward the quarter-finals, keeping Egypt’s AFCON hopes alive.
For Salah, AFCON 2025 offers more than continental glory; it provides a timely lifeline amid recent friction with Liverpool coach Arne Slot at Anfield. The tension has left his future at the club in limbo, and the tournament gives him the perfect stage to shift focus back to football and remind the world why he remains one of Africa’s finest. Fans now eagerly await Egypt’s clash against one of Africa’s elite sides, with Mohamed Salah expected to once again carry his nation’s hopes for continental glory.
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