Egypt started the quarterfinal clash against Cote d’Ivoire with great energy. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring in the fourth minute, giving his team confidence. Soon after, defender Ramy Rabia doubled the lead in the 32nd minute. With Mohamed Salah adding a third goal early in the second half, Egypt looked firmly in control.
Cote d’Ivoire Fight Back
Despite Egypt’s strong start, Cote d’Ivoire refused to surrender. An own goal from Ahmed Fattouh in the 41st minute gave the Ivorians hope. Later, Guela Doué scored in the 73rd minute to make it 3-2. The match suddenly became tense, and Egypt had to defend with determination to protect their lead.
Salah’s Influence on the Game
Mohamed Salah once again proved his importance to Egypt. His goal in the 52nd minute gave his team breathing space at a crucial time. Beyond scoring, Salah’s leadership helped calm the players when Cote d’Ivoire pressed hard. His presence ensured Egypt stayed focused until the final whistle.
Defensive Resilience in Closing Minutes
As the game moved into its final stages, Egypt’s defense faced constant pressure. Goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy made key saves, while defenders Yasser Ibrahim and Hossam Abdelmagid blocked dangerous attacks. Transitioning quickly from defense to counterattacks, Egypt managed to hold off Cote d’Ivoire’s late surge.
Path to the Semifinals
With the 3-2 victory, Egypt advanced to the semifinals of AFCON 2025. The win showed both their attacking strength and their ability to survive difficult moments. Although Cote d’Ivoire pushed them to the limit, Egypt’s composure and experience carried them through.
Lessons for Egypt Moving Forward
Egypt will need to improve defensively if they hope to win the tournament. Allowing opponents back into the game after a comfortable lead can be dangerous.
However the team’s resilience and star power remain strong assets. Transitioning into the semifinals, Egypt must balance their attacking flair with tighter defensive discipline.
