Egypt Edges Defending Champions in AFCON Quarterfinal Thriller
Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah delivered a masterclass performance to guide his national team into the semifinals of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Pharaohs secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the reigning champions, Ivory Coast, in a pulsating quarterfinal clash that showcased both attacking flair and nerve-wracking tension.
Salah Shines in Decisive Victory
The match started in dream fashion for Egypt. Striker Omar Marmoush broke the deadlock after just four minutes, sending the Egyptian fans into early raptures. The lead was doubled midway through the first half when defender Ramy Rabia powerfully headed home a corner kick delivered by Mohamed Salah.
However, the Ivorians, playing with the spirit of champions, fought back. An own goal from Egypt's Ahmed Fotouh just before halftime made it 2-1, setting up a tense second period. The decisive moment came from the captain himself. In a move started deep in their own half, Rami Rabia's long ball found Emam Ashour, who expertly played in Salah. The Liverpool forward made no mistake, scoring his fourth goal of the tournament in his fourth match to restore Egypt's two-goal cushion, a strike that ultimately proved the winner despite a late Ivorian consolation.
Salah's Cautious Optimism and National Pride
Speaking to beIN Sports after the match, an elated but grounded Salah expressed his joy and pride. "I am very happy and proud to play with these guys," he said. "We always want to bring joy to the Egyptian fans, and we believe we can win every match with this mindset." He acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, praising the opponents: "It was a difficult match. The Ivorians won the AFCON last time at home. They played like champions today as well."
Despite the impressive win, Salah was quick to temper expectations about Egypt being outright favourites for the title. The 33-year-old highlighted the quality of the remaining teams. "We are not '100 per cent the favourite' to win the title, with Nigeria, Morocco and Senegal all boasting fine teams," he stated, demonstrating a leader's perspective.
He also spoke passionately about the team's motivation and the unique composition of the squad. "Most of our national team players play in the domestic league, it's not to belittle them, but we are trying our best because we love our country," Salah told reporters, emphasizing that heart and determination are driving their campaign.
Historic Milestone and Semifinal Showdown Await
Salah's goal against Ivory Coast placed him on the cusp of history. He now needs just one more goal to equal the record of Egypt's all-time top scorer in the AFCON, coach Hassan El-Shazly, who has 12 goals.
The victory sets up a colossal semifinal clash against Senegal in Tangiers. Salah acknowledged the magnitude of the upcoming challenge. "The game will be difficult, they have a squad that plays at a high level in Europe, but I hope we can achieve victory," he said. Reiterating the team's spirit, he added, "We are fighting so hard, you can see the players, nobody is holding anything. We are just carrying on."
Egypt's journey continues, powered by the genius of Mohamed Salah and a collective resolve to fight for their nation's glory on the continental stage.
