MOHAMMED Salah was once again on the scoresheet as Egypt beat holders Ivory Coast in an enthralling and action-packed quarter-final at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that after Omar Marmoush slotted the Pharaohs ahead after just four minutes, the North Africans were never behind in the game.
But Emerse Fae’s Elephants are known for their resilience and refused to let their opponents blow them away despite Ramy Rabia’s header giving Egypt a 2-0 lead just after the half hour.
Ahmed Fatouh’s own goal gave the Ivorians hope before half-time, but Salah quickly restored a two-goal cushion for the record seven-time winners.
Guela Doue’s backheeled effort after 73 minutes set up a grandstand finish but there was to be no fairytale comeback for Ivory Coast this time around.
The result means Salah’s bid for a first continental crown with his country is still on course.
He will now take his team to Tangier to face Senegal, who beat Egypt in the 2021 final, on Wednesday (17:00 GMT).
As well as losing the 2021 final to Senegal on penalties, Salah was also an Afcon runner-up in 2017 against Cameroon.
Now 33, he will have to do it the hard way from here if he is to finally lift the trophy, with either Nigeria or Morocco waiting in any potential final on Sunday, 18 January.
But he now has four goals at this tournament his best total at an Afcon – and 11 overall, drawing him level with his coach Hossam Hassan and putting him one behind Hassan El-Shazly, who holds the national record for the Pharaohs.
Heading into this game, the weight of history was certainly with Egypt, who had a dominant record against their opponents.
After this victory, the North Africans have now played Ivory Coast 12 times at Afcon and lost just once.
And it means Egypt remain the last side to defend the continental crown, doing so in 2010 when the North Africans completed a hat-trick of titles.
The Pharaohs’ previous five knockout ties at Afcon had all gone to extra-time, but this time they spared their fans that agony as they held out through stoppage time.
Salah will now be reunited with Sadio Mane for the semi-final against Senegal on the Mediterranean coast in Tangier, offering an opportunity for revenge on his former Liverpool team-mate and the chance to take another step closer to fulfilling his dream of lifting the trophy.