A pulsating Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in Agadir saw Egypt dethrone the defending champions, edging a 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast in a match filled with relentless drama and critical errors.
The Pharaohs, inspired by captain Mohamed Salah, twice established two-goal leads only to be pegged back each time by a resilient Ivorian side, ultimately holding firm to book a semi-final showdown with Senegal.
The match exploded into life almost immediately. Egypt capitalized on a disastrous Ivorian start when a poor touch from Franck Kessie in midfield was seized upon. Emam Ashour played a probing ball forward for Omar Marmoush, and as defender Odilon Kossounou slipped at the critical moment, the Manchester City striker calmly slotted past goalkeeper Yahia Fofana after just four minutes.
Ivory Coast controlled much of the possession and pressure but found themselves further behind after half an hour. Mohamed Salah’s corner was met by a towering, looping header from defender Ramy Rabia, who soared above Ibrahim Sangare to find the top corner.
The reigning champions were handed a lifeline before halftime when a dangerous, whipped free-kick from teenager Yan Diomande was flicked on by Kossounou and inadvertently bundled into his own net by Egyptian defender Ahmed Fatouh.
Determined to kill the contest, Egypt restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the restart. Ramy Rabia, turning from scorer to provider, caught the Ivorian defense with a long ball over the top.
Emam Ashour controlled it superbly on the left wing and delivered a clever, low cross with the outside of his boot, which Salah met to poke home in the 52nd minute. With the score at 3-1, the stage was set for another dramatic Ivorian comeback reminiscent of their group stage heroics.
It arrived in the 73rd minute when a goalmouth scramble from a corner ended with Guela Doue cleverly backheeling the ball past Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy. Despite Ivory Coast dominating 71% of possession and launching 13 attempts to Egypt’s six, the Pharaohs’ defense withstood a tense finale, including five minutes of stoppage time, to secure the historic victory.
The result sends Egypt into a semi-final clash against 2021 champions Senegal this Wednesday in Tangier, a highly anticipated rematch of the 2021 final. For Mohamed Salah, the quest for an elusive first AFCON title continues.
His goal against Ivory Coast was his fourth of this tournament, marking his best-ever tally at an AFCON finals and drawing him level with coach Hossam Hassan on 68 goals for Egypt. He now stands just one goal behind the national record held by Hassan El-Shazly.
The semi-final also sets up a compelling reunion with former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane, renewing a personal rivalry from the 2021 final which Senegal won on penalties. For Ivory Coast, the defeat continues a long-standing trend as they become the eighth consecutive title-holder unable to defend the crown since Egypt last achieved the feat in 2010.
The Elephants’ exit closes a chapter on their reign, while Egypt’s dream of a record-extending eighth continental title remains vibrantly alive.