Egypt vs Zimbabwe delivered one of the most thrilling moments of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as Mohamed Salah scored deep in stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 win for the Pharaohs in their Group B opener.
The match, played at Stade Adrar in Agadir, saw Zimbabwe take an early lead before Egypt battled back, and Salah’s last-gasp goal ensured all three points for the seven-time continental champions.
The game between Egypt and Zimbabwe was seen as a very crucial first step in Egypt’s quest to win their eighth AFCON title. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are a strong underdog ready to test their skills. What happened was a gripping story of strength, stress, and heroic acts at the end of the game.
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Zimbabwe Stuns Egypt Early
The opening exchanges of Egypt vs Zimbabwe were marked by Egypt’s dominance in possession, but it was Zimbabwe who struck first against the run of play.
Prince Dube took advantage of a perfect cross from Emmanuel Jalai in the 20th minute and controlled it perfectly before firing a shot past the Egyptian goalkeeper to give the Warriors a surprising lead. Zimbabwe’s early goal sent shockwaves through the stadium as they anticipated home support and seized the momentum.
This change in the story made for an exciting match because Egypt had to chase the game even though they were in control and had many chances to score in the attacking third. For most of the first half, the Pharaohs were frustrated by Zimbabwe’s disciplined defense and Washington Arubi’s great goalkeeping.
Egypt Responds Before the Break
Egypt were the dominant side during the Egypt vs Zimbabwe game. The Pharaohs created opportunities, with shots and crosses testing Zimbabwe’s backline, but time and again the Warriors avoided conceding.
Egypt kept pushing and eventually found a way back into the Egypt vs Zimbabwe match in the 63rd minute when Omar Marmoush drove forward and unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net, sending the stadium into a frenzy and bringing Egypt’s quest for three points back to life.
Egypt deserved this equalizer and were now firmly in charge, setting the pace and speed of the game. The Pharaohs continued to dominate the Egypt vs Zimbabwe game but couldn’t find the back of the net as the clock ticked down.
Salah’s Magical Winner
Then, in the dying moments of Egypt vs Zimbabwe, captain Mohamed Salah produced a moment worthy of posterity. As the clock ticked down, the ball fell perfectly into the box for Salah, who expertly controlled it and shot it past Arubi with his left foot, sending the Egyptian fans into a frenzy.
Salah’s goal in the last minute of the game wasn’t just a goal; it was the result of Egypt’s determination and hard work. The Pharaohs won it in a dramatic way, avoiding what could have been an upset, and gave Egypt the ideal start to their AFCON campaign.
The goal meant a lot to Salah personally. It showed that he was a clutch player on the world stage and gave his team a big boost in confidence. Coming after a spell of mixed form at club level, the captain’s decisive intervention delivered exactly what Egypt needed.
Tactical Themes in Egypt vs Zimbabwe
When looking at the tactics of Egypt vs Zimbabwe, one of the most interesting things was how Egypt was always on the attack, while Zimbabwe was very organized on defense.
Egypt had the ball for most of the game, but struggled to find the back of the net earlier in the game.
Zimbabwe’s defense was especially impressive. Washington Arubi’s experience and ability to stop shots kept Zimbabwe in the game until late in the second half.
Marmoush’s goal came from a moment of individual brilliance, and Salah’s late goal showed his ability to read the game and stay calm under pressure—two things that helped Egypt win the game.
Zimbabwe’s Brave Show
Although Egypt vs Zimbabwe ended in victory for the Pharaohs, Zimbabwe’s performance remains a talking point. The Warriors showed bravery and tactical discipline against a powerhouse in African football. They maintained an early lead and disrupting Egypt’s rhythm for large portions of the match.
Prince Dube’s early goal showed how much Zimbabwe wanted to attack, and the team’s overall defense showed that they were ready to fight for every challenge. The performance gives Zimbabwean football fans hope as the team tries to beat better teams in the group stages and beyond.
What the Result Means for Each Side
The outcome of Egypt vs Zimbabwe holds significance for the trajectory of both nations in AFCON Group B. Egypt’s win puts them in a good spot early in the group, which is good for the matches that are coming up.
Zimbabwe’s spirited performance, even though it ended in heartbreak, shows that they can surprise fans and maybe even change the dynamics of the group.
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The Egyptian coaches and fans see the win as a good start to their tournament life and a valuable three points. The Pharaohs will need the confidence they got from this hard-fought win over Zimbabwe as they prepare for important matches against South Africa and Angola.
Conclusion
The Egypt vs Zimbabwe match will go down in history as one of the most exciting openers of the AFCON 2025 group stage. Egypt now turns its attention to upcoming challenges aimed at consolidating its leadership in Group B, while Zimbabwe will seek to regroup and earn points in the fixtures ahead.
For now, Mohamed Salah’s late-night heroics and Zimbabwe’s spirited response show how beautiful and unpredictable football can be, where moments of brilliance can change the story in an instant. Egypt vs Zimbabwe gave fans of the African Cup of Nations exactly what they wanted: an exciting game that they will remember for years to come.
