Egypt Edges Out Ivory Coast in 5-Goal AFCON Quarter-Final Thriller
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Quarter-Finals just delivered a classic. In a high-stakes match that swung back and forth like a pendulum, Egypt secured a gritty 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast to punch their ticket to the semi-finals.
If you missed the action, here is the full breakdown of how the Pharaohs held off a late Elephants charge to survive the knockout rounds.
The Match Timeline: Egypt Strikes Early
Egypt started the match with blistering intensity, catching the Ivorian defense off guard before they could even settle into the game.
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4’ - Early Strike: Omar Marmoush opened the scoring just four minutes in, assisted by Emam Ashour, setting a frantic pace for the game.
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32’ - The Cushion: Rami Rabia doubled the lead after half an hour, converting a ball from none other than Mohamed Salah.
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40’ - The Life Line: Just as Egypt looked comfortable, disaster struck. Ahmed Abou El Fotouh turned the ball into his own net, gifting Ivory Coast a crucial goal right before the break.
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52’ - The Star Power: Early in the second half, Mohamed Salah turned from provider to scorer. Assisted again by the tireless Emam Ashour, Salah made it 3-1.
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73’ - A Grandstand Finish: Guela Doue pulled one back for the Ivory Coast in the 73rd minute, leading to a nail-biting final 20 minutes of play.
By The Numbers: Efficiency vs. Dominance
The most shocking part of this result isn't the scoreline — it’s the statistics behind it. Looking at the match data, Ivory Coast will be wondering how they exited the tournament after such a dominant performance on the ball.
| Statistic | Egypt | Ivory Coast |
| Possession | 29% | 71% |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 4 |
| Shots off Target | 1 | 3 |
| Final Score | 3 | 2 |
Despite having 71% of the ball, Ivory Coast struggled to penetrate Egypt’s disciplined low block. Egypt was the definition of “clinical” — of their 4 shots on target, 3 ended up in the back of the net.
Key Takeaways
1. Salah remains the Difference-Maker
With a goal and an assist, Mohamed Salah proved why he is the focal point of this team. He didn't need much of the ball to fundamentally change the course of the Quarter-Final.
2. Ivorian Possession without a Punch
Ivory Coast dominated the midfield, but they lacked the final “killer pass.” Even with late attacking substitutions like Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso, they couldn't find the equalizer against a stubborn Egyptian defense.
3. Egypt’s Tactical Discipline
Winning a knockout match with only 29% possession takes incredible mental toughness. The Pharaohs stayed compact, absorbed the pressure, and punished every mistake Ivory Coast made.
What’s Next for the Pharaohs?
With this victory, Egypt marches on to the Semi-Finals with massive momentum. For Ivory Coast, it's a heartbreaking exit after a tournament where they showed flashes of brilliance.
Was Egypt lucky, or was this a tactical masterclass? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!