Egypt vs Benin: Mohamed Salah Scores Late in Egypt’s 3-1 Win

Egypt vs Benin. The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 round of 16 match between Egypt and Benin was a classic test of strength and skill.

Egypt won 3–1 after extra time, thanks to goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mohamed Salah, who scored after Marwan Attia’s opening goal and Benin’s late equalizer. Egypt’s win put them in the quarterfinals and added to their long history in the AFCON.

A Hard-Fought Knockout Clash

The highly anticipated Egypt vs. Benin AFCON 2025 match at Stade Adrar in Agadir saw the Pharaohs face off against the spirited Cheetahs of Benin. Many thought the Pharaohs would get an easy win, but they were tested much more than they thought they would be.

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Egypt, the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions, had a lot of pressure and pride on their shoulders. Benin, on the other hand, were hoping to make history.

The game started slowly, with both teams sticking to their plans. Egypt had the ball  for most of the first half, but Benin’s well-organized defense and aggressive press made it hard for the home team to score, keeping the score level at halftime.

Attia Breaks the Deadlock

In the 69th minute, midfielder Marwan Attia scored a stunning long-range goal that went into the top corner, catching the goalkeeper off guard and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Attia’s amazing shot was both technically perfect and well-timed, giving Egypt a well-deserved lead after a lot of pressure.

Attia’s goal came from the Pharaohs’ growing momentum, even though they had to fight for space against a disciplined Benin backline. His goal underscored Egypt’s offensive intent but also revealed that the game was far from over.

Benin Bounce Back

Even though they were behind, Benin didn’t give up in the Egypt vs. Benin match. The Cheetahs, ranked lower and often viewed as underdogs, refused to give up.

Their persistence paid off in the 83rd minute when Jodel Dossou capitalised on a defensive miscue to slot home and restore parity. The goal, which came against the run of play, sent the game into extra time and shocked everyone in the stadium.

Dossou’s finish was clinical, showcasing Benin’s resilience and attacking threat, even against one of Africa’s footballing heavyweights. Benin’s goal was a turning point, reminding everyone that knockout football can be very unpredictable.

Egypt Regains Control in Extra Time

With regulation time unable to separate them, Egypt vs Benin entered extra time, where the Pharaohs’ experience began to tell.

Just seven minutes into extra time, defender Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to head in a well-delivered cross from Attia. This gave Egypt the lead again and gave them the momentum they needed to win.

Ibrahim’s goal, his first in international football, was a great header that showed how Egypt used set pieces and aerial strength to their advantage. The hosts took the lead again thanks to a mix of accuracy and calmness.

Salah Seals the Win

As extra time ticked toward its conclusion, the Egypt vs Benin match still hung in the balance — until Mohamed Salah delivered the defining moment.

In the last few minutes of the second period of extra time, Salah broke free on a quick counterattack after being played through by Zizo, calmly lifted the ball past Benin’s goalkeeper to make it 3–1 in the dying moments.

Salah’s calm finish under pressure showed that he is still a great player with a clutch mentality. Not only did the goal win the game, but it also showed how important he was to Egypt’s campaign. It was his 10th AFCON goal, making him one of the best players in the country’s history.

Statistical Edge and Tactical Themes

The Egypt vs Benin match wasn’t just exciting; it was also tactically complex. Match data shows that Egypt had a slight edge in possession and control, completing a higher percentage of passes and making more shots on goal. Over 120 grueling minutes, their ability to handle pressure and win important duels made the difference.

Benin, on the other hand, showed why they have been a strong competitor in this tournament. Egypt had trouble with their tight defensive shape and willingness to counterattack, especially late in regulation time when their equalizer sent the game into extra time.

Goalkeeper Contributions and Defensive Work

Both Benin and Egypt had great defensive players. Mohamed El-Shenawy, Egypt’s goalkeeper, made some important saves, including a key parry early in the second half that kept the score at 0–0. For Benin, goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou was just as heroic. He stopped many dangerous Egyptian attacks and kept the game close until extra time.

The backlines of both teams also worked very hard. Egypt’s defenders didn’t give Benin many clear chances, and Benin’s defenders matched the Pharaohs’ physicality, which got them praise even though they lost in the end.

Benin’s Brave Run in the Tournament

The Egypt vs. Benin result ended Benin’s AFCON 2025 campaign, but their time in the tournament was historic. The Cheetahs not only made it past the group stage, but they also won their first open-play AFCON game this year, which is a big achievement for the West African country. Their game against Egypt showed how much they had improved their strategy and competitive spirit.

Benin’s ability to compete with and a powerful team like Egypt showed how far they had come on the continental stage. Even though they have exited the tournament, fans and experts will remember how well they played.

The Past and Egypt’s Influence

The win over Benin adds to Egypt’s long list of great moments in AFCON history. Egypt has won the championship seven times, which is a record. People often judge them by how well they handle pressure in knockout situations. On this night, their calmness in extra time showed how good they are.

This match also saw long-time stars like Salah add to their legacy, while younger players like Attia and Ibrahim made important contributions. It showed a mix of experience and new talent, which could be very important as Egypt moves on in the tournament.

Players and coaches’ points of view

After the Egypt vs. Benin game, Mohamed Salah praised his team’s physical and mental readiness, saying that the Pharaohs kept up their intensity throughout extra time. He said that their faith and fitness were important to the win, which shows how determined Egypt was to compete even though they weren’t expected to win.

“I don’t think we are a favourite at all (to win the title). We have young players, and most of them play in Egypt. We just fight for our country… but everybody gives their best and you could see today. The level is quite similar, I told the team yesterday that no side loses by four or five goals. (Benin) have a good team and a good coach… I’m glad we managed to win in the end.” The 33-year-old said after the match, as per SuperSport.

Benin’s coach was upset, but he praised his team’s brave play and said they could be proud of forcing extra time against a tough opponent. He told his players how much he appreciated their hard work and determination during the game.

Setting Up the Quarterfinals

Egypt has now moved on to the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals after beating Benin. There, they will face the winner of the Round of 16 match between defending champions Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. This match, which will take place in the same coastal city of Agadir, promises to be very exciting as Egypt tries to win their eighth continental title.

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Egypt will need to keep its focus, be tactically disciplined, and play clutch games like the one that won against Benin. Meanwhile, the Pharaohs’ fans back home will be happy about how determined the team is and how exciting their win was.

Conclusion

The Egypt vs. Benin game was one of the most exciting parts of AFCON 2025 history. It was full of ups and downs, dramatic goals, and moments of individual brilliance. Egypt’s win in extra time not only moved them on to the quarterfinals, but it also showed that they could handle tough situations.

As the tournament moves into the knockout stage, Egypt’s mix of experience, depth, and potential will be put to the test. But on this night, Egypt vs. Benin was a great show for the continent’s top football tournament.