Mohamed Salah Stars as Egypt Edge Holders Ivory Coast in Dramatic Quarter-Final – Set Up Clash with Senegal.

Egypt vs Ivory Coast AFCON 2025

What a pulsating quarter-final at the Stade Adrar in Agadir! Record seven-time champions Egypt produced a resilient display to overcome defending champions Ivory Coast 3-2 on January 10, 2026, booking their place in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals. The Pharaohs, led by the evergreen Mohamed Salah, dumped the Elephants out in a high-octane encounter full of drama, own goals, and late tension.

Egypt struck early and never looked back fully. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring in the 4th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error to curl home. Ramy Rabia doubled the lead on 32 minutes with a superb header from Salah’s corner. Ivory Coast pulled one back just before halftime via an Ahmed Fatouh own goal (41′), but Salah restored the two-goal cushion in the 52nd minute with a clinical finish assisted by Emam Ashour.

Ivory Coast fought back valiantly, with Guéla Doué pulling one back in the 73rd minute via a smart backheel from a corner to make it 3-2 and set up a frantic finale. The Elephants dominated possession (71%) and created chances, but Egypt’s defense held firm under pressure to secure the win.

The holders’ title defense ends here, while Egypt march on with Salah’s magic proving decisive once again. The Pharaohs now face Senegal in the semi-finals on Wednesday, January 14, in what promises to be another blockbuster.

With Nigeria facing hosts Morocco in the other semi-final, the last four is stacked with quality.