Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt defeated defending champions Ivory Coast 3-2 in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match on Saturday.
Egypt Advances, Ivory Coast Eliminated
The victory propels Egypt into the semi-finals, where they will face Senegal on Wednesday in Tangiers. The winner of that match will then compete against either Morocco or Nigeria four days later in the final.
Egypt quickly took control of the match, with Omar Marmoush scoring just 182 seconds after kickoff. Ramy Rabia added another goal for Egypt, before an own goal by Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh narrowed the gap for Ivory Coast before halftime.
Salah extended Egypt’s lead early in the second half, and despite a goal from Guela Doue, Egypt held on to secure the win.
This result also marks the eighth consecutive time the Africa Cup of Nations title-holder has failed to successfully defend their title, a feat Egypt last achieved in 2010.
Salah’s Pursuit of a Title
While Mohamed Salah has enjoyed significant success with Liverpool – including wins in the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, and Club World Cup – a winners medal in the Africa Cup of Nations has remained elusive. He was previously a runner-up in 2017 and 2022.
Salah entered the tournament amid reported uncertainty regarding his future at Liverpool, following a post-match statement where he claimed to have been “thrown under the bus” after being substituted during a draw with Leeds United.
Despite this, Salah has been in strong form throughout the tournament, scoring against Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Benin in earlier stages.
The match saw key contributions from Emam Ashour, who provided assists for both Marmoush and Salah, and a strong performance from Manchester City striker Marmoush, who opened the scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the match?
Egypt defeated Ivory Coast 3-2.
Who will Egypt play in the semi-finals?
Egypt will face Senegal on Wednesday in Tangiers.
How many times has Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations?
Egypt has won the Africa Cup of Nations a record-extending seven times.
As Egypt progresses through the tournament, will their momentum and Salah’s form be enough to secure a historic eighth title?
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