Egypt knocked out defending champions Côte d’Ivoire in a gripping 3–2 quarter-final on Saturday night to complete the semi-final lineup at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. The seven-time kings of Africa showed composure and cutting edge in Agadir, ending the Elephants’ reign and booking a heavyweight last-four clash with Senegal on Wednesday, 14 January.

This was classic tournament football from Egypt: fast start, ruthless finishing, and a steely finish under pressure. For Côte d’Ivoire, who carried long spells of possession and waves of late attacks, the narrow defeat will sting. For Egypt, it was a statement that their AFCON know-how still matters when the margins tighten.

Lightning start, clinical edge: how Egypt seized control

Inside four minutes, Egypt were in front. Omar Marmoush reacted quickest after a smart pass from Emam Ashour to make it 1–0, an early goal that changed the rhythm of the night. By several accounts, Côte d’Ivoire were the side seeing more of the ball, but Egypt took the chances that count.

The second arrived on 32 minutes. Ramy Rabia, up from the back, doubled the lead, finishing after Mohamed Salah’s through ball cut open the Ivorian back line. With a two-goal cushion and a plan to protect it, the seven-time champions seemed comfortable.

Then the game turned messy. Eight minutes later, Côte d’Ivoire found a route back, not from open play, but via a dead ball and chaos. A free-kick into the Egypt box led to Ahmed Abou El Fotouh diverting the ball into his own net. Suddenly it was 2–1, and the holders had belief again going into the break.

“Egypt didn’t need the ball — they needed moments. And they nailed every big one.”

Ashour the supplier, Salah the finisher — Egypt’s blueprint

Seven minutes into the second half, Egypt struck again to cool Ivorian momentum. Salah, from the center of the box, swept home another Ashour pass to restore the two-goal cushion at 3–1. It was simple, sharp football. Ashour’s vision and timing unlocked the defense twice, and Salah’s finish showed the calm of a player who has carried big nights for club and country.

What stood out was how patient Egypt were without the ball. By one account, Côte d’Ivoire had close to 70% of first-half possession. But Egypt managed the spaces, defended the box, and waited to spring forward. In knockout football, the scoreline is the stat that matters; the Pharaohs played like they knew it.

Ivory Coast’s surge and a frantic finish in Agadir

To their credit, Côte d’Ivoire did not fold. They kept pushing, and their pressure brought a lifeline on 73 minutes. Guéla Doué back-heeled a loose ball into the roof of the net from close range after a set-piece scramble to make it 3–2. From there, it was a siege.

The Elephants launched cross after cross, and Egypt scrapped for every second ball. The defending got edgy at times, but it held. In the final minutes, Côte d’Ivoire hunted an equaliser, while Egypt defended their area with everything they had. The whistle brought relief and celebration: Egypt were through, and the champions were out.

“Ashour to Salah feels like a cheat code — one pass, one touch, one dagger.”

AFCON 2025 semi-finals: Senegal vs Egypt headlines a stacked final four

The bracket now looks like a who’s who of African football. Senegal were the first into the semi-finals, edging Mali 1–0 thanks to a first-half strike from Iliman Ndiaye. Hosts Morocco followed with a strong 2–0 win over Cameroon, with Brahim Diaz and Ismaël Saibari on the scoresheet. Nigeria completed their job with a 2–0 victory against Algeria.

The confirmed semi-final fixtures on Wednesday, 14 January are:

• Senegal vs Egypt
• Morocco vs Nigeria

CAF itself called it a line-up of traditional heavyweights after a quarter-final weekend of goals, tension, and high drama. Egypt’s win delivered the final piece of that puzzle. Undefeated so far and battle-tested again, the Pharaohs now meet a Senegal team that knows how to manage tight knockout ties.

“Senegal control games; Egypt control moments. Which wins on Wednesday?”

Inside the numbers and the nuance

This quarter-final was a study in contrasts. Côte d’Ivoire moved the ball well and often, but Egypt were ruthless in the key zones. The opening goal came from alert pressing and a quick combination. The second and third goals were about clarity: early pass, early finish.

Emam Ashour’s two assists were the thread running through Egypt’s best work. His timing between the lines and his weight of pass hurt Côte d’Ivoire every time Egypt broke. Salah’s finish for the third was the difference between hope and control. At 3–1, Egypt could absorb and reset. At 2–2, it would have been a different game entirely.

Set pieces told a story too. Côte d’Ivoire’s first came from a dead ball that turned messy. Their second, via Guéla Doué’s instinctive back-heel, also stemmed from a set-piece situation. Egypt will want to tighten those moments before facing Senegal, who are excellent at controlling territory and rhythm.

What this means for Egypt, and for AFCON 2025

For Egypt, this was proof of tournament identity. They do not need to dominate the ball to dominate the tie. They need structure, a few key passes, and the right finish. With Salah sharp and Ashour supplying, those ingredients are in place. Add a center-back scoring at a key time, and you have a complete knockout recipe.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the elimination will hurt, but it came with fight. The holders played with ambition and pinned Egypt back late on. On another night, one of those late balls drops kindly and we are talking extra time. Instead, the margins went Egypt’s way, and the champions’ reign ended in Agadir.

Quarter-final recap: the road to a blockbuster last four

• Senegal 1–0 Mali — Iliman Ndiaye struck in the first half; Senegal then showed cool control to see it out.
• Morocco 2–0 Cameroon — Goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismaël Saibari kept the hosts on course.
• Nigeria 2–0 Algeria — A professional performance booked the Super Eagles’ semi-final place.
• Egypt 3–2 Côte d’Ivoire — The defending champions are out; Egypt claim the last semi-final spot.

Looking ahead: Wednesday decides everything

Now the stakes rise. Senegal vs Egypt is a clash of champions-in-waiting versus champions-in-history. Expect a measured game, few chances, and the feeling that one moment could settle it — just like Senegal’s 1–0 over Mali, and just like Egypt showed against Côte d’Ivoire.

On the other side, Morocco vs Nigeria brings star power and the energy of a host nation chasing glory at home. CAF wanted drama and quality in the final four. It has both.

Egypt arrived in Morocco with pressure and pedigree. They leave Agadir with momentum. One more controlled performance, and the Pharaohs could be back in an AFCON final. Against Senegal, they will need every ounce of that clinical edge again.