Egypt booked their place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast, inspired once again by their talisman Mohamed Salah.

The Liverpool forward proved the difference in a pulsating quarter-final, scoring the winning goal in the 52nd minute to tilt the contest in Egypt’s favour. Salah was at the heart of everything for the Pharaohs, also providing an assist for Rabia in a performance that underlined his importance on the biggest stage.

Egypt made the perfect start to the match when Omar Marmoush found the net just four minutes in, setting the tone for an open and attacking encounter. However, Ivory Coast refused to fade quietly, and an unfortunate own goal by Fattouh on 40 minutes brought the Elephants right back into the contest.

After the break, Mohamed Salah delivered the decisive moment, calmly converting to restore Egypt’s advantage. Yet the drama was far from over. Doué struck in the 73rd minute to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finale as Ivory Coast pushed desperately for an equaliser.

Despite late pressure, Egypt held firm, showing composure and experience to see out the match and secure their place in the last four.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Egypt - Ivory Coast 3:2 (2:1)
Goals: Marmoush, 4 (1:0); Rabia, 32 (2:0); Fotouh, 40 (own goal) (2:1); Salah, 52 (3:1); Doué G., 73 (3:2)

Egypt: El Shenawy M.; Hany; Abdelmaguid; Rabia; Ibrahim; Fotouh; Ateya; Ashour (Hassan, 78); Fathi H.; Salah; Marmoush (Mostafa Mohamed, 90)
Substitution: Hassan (from 78); Mostafa Mohamed (from 90)
Bench: El Shenawy A.; Shobeir; Sobhi; Eid; Ismail; Shehata; Lasheen; Zizo; Saber; Fathi; Adel; Mohsen; Faisal
Yellow Cards: Abdelmaguid 69; El Shenawy M. 94

Ivory Coast: Fofana Yahia; Konan; Kossounou; Doué G.; Ndicka; Kessié (Krasso, 70); Sangaré I.; Oulaï Inao (Fofana S., 89); Diallo; Guessand (Bayo, 80); Diomande Y. (Toure B-a, 89)
Substitution: Krasso (from 70); Bayo (from 80); Fofana S. (from 89); Toure B-a (from 89)
Bench: Kone Moh.; Lafont; Diomande O.; Zohouri; Boly; Operi; Agbadou; Gbamin; Seri; Zaha; Diakité