Egypt found a way. On a tense knockout night in Agadir, the Pharaohs needed extra time to finally shake off a stubborn Benin and book their place in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals. A 3-1 win after 120 minutes at Stade Adrar on January 5, 2026, was built on control, patience, and two big moments in overtime. Egypt led through a Marwan Attia rocket, were pegged back late by Jodel Dossou, then rose again with a Yasser Ibrahim header and a cool Mohamed Salah finish to seal it.

This was classic tournament football: absorb the scare, trust your strengths, and win the moments that matter. For Egypt, it was job done and a step closer to the title race they always expect to join.

Egypt vs Benin: Pharaohs pass their first big knockout test

The pattern was set early. Egypt controlled the ball, pushed Benin back, and asked their front line to keep the pressure. Chances came before the break, but Benin’s goalkeeper stood up well as Egypt’s creators — including Mahmoud Trézéguet, Omar Marmoush, and Mohamed Salah — kept probing. Mohamed El Shenawy, Egypt’s dependable No. 1, handled Benin’s counters calmly when called upon.

Goalless at halftime, Egypt stuck to their plan. The midfield worked the angles, the full-backs pushed on, and the back line kept shape. The reward arrived on 69 minutes.

Attia’s thunderbolt breaks the lock

Some goals feel like a release. Marwan Attia’s did. The midfielder stepped onto a loose ball from about 25 meters and sent a low, driving strike crashing into the corner. Perfect technique, big-stage confidence, and exactly what Egypt needed at 1-0.

That strike changed the mood. Egypt looked in charge, moving Benin around and protecting their lead with sensible possession. But knockout football does not always follow the script.

“Attia took the game by the collar — goal of the night and a leader’s corner in ET.”

Benin punch back: Dossou levels late

Benin’s big moment came on 83 minutes. A quick attack forced a save from El Shenawy, but the rebound fell kindly, and Jodel Dossou pounced to make it 1-1. It was a classic underdog punch, and it forced extra time just when Egypt thought they had the tie under control.

To their credit, Benin stayed brave. Their best-ever AFCON finish is the Round of 16, and they played like a side determined to stretch that ceiling. But extra time is where experience often tells.

Extra time belongs to Egypt

Seven minutes into extra time, Egypt’s set-piece craft gave them back the advantage. From a Marwan Attia corner, Yasser Ibrahim rose high and thumped a header into the net in the 97th minute. Simple, direct, and decisive. That goal flipped the emotional balance back Egypt’s way.

From there, Egypt managed the clock. The back four stayed disciplined, the midfield closed lanes, and the forwards threatened on the break as Benin pushed numbers forward. When the chance to finish the tie arrived deep into stoppage time of extra time, Mohamed Salah was never going to pass it up. On the counter, he lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper with a calm touch to make it 3-1. It was the cherry on top of a patient, professional performance.

“Yasser’s header was pure desire — that’s how you win knockout games.”

Mohamed Salah’s 10th AFCON goal: a cool finish with big meaning

Salah’s stoppage-time strike was his 10th goal at the Africa Cup of Nations. It was vintage Salah — quick, composed, and ruthless in a moment that demanded a clear head. Beyond the number, it signaled Egypt’s cutting edge returning exactly when needed. Knockouts are about details: one corner, one header, one counter. Egypt won all three.

Credit, too, to the spine: El Shenawy’s early stops, Ibrahim’s leadership at the back, and Attia’s all-action display in midfield. With Trézéguet and Marmoush supporting Salah, Egypt always looked like they had the tools to create the final, telling chances.

“Salah’s chip was calm as ice — a reminder that class decides extra time.”

Key moments by the minute

• 69′ — Marwan Attia drills a long-range strike into the corner (1-0 Egypt).
• 83′ — Jodel Dossou reacts fastest to a rebound, levels for Benin (1-1).
• 97′ — Yasser Ibrahim powers home a header from Attia’s corner (2-1 Egypt).
• ET stoppage time — Mohamed Salah lifts a counterattack finish over the keeper (3-1 Egypt).

Why Egypt’s approach worked

Egypt never lost their shape. They trusted their passing game, kept their full-backs honest, and used set pieces to turn pressure into points. When Benin equalized, the Pharaohs didn’t panic. They leaned on experience, stayed patient, and found quality in extra time. That composure is what separates long-run contenders from short-run stories.

Benin deserve respect. They were organized, dangerous on the break, and mentally tough after falling behind. Their Round of 16 mark remains their best at AFCON, but the performance shows a base they can build on for future tournaments.

What’s next: quarterfinal date on January 9

Egypt move on to face the winner of Côte d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso on January 9. Different tests await, whether it’s the physical duel and home pulse of the Ivorians or the quick transitions and spirit of Burkina Faso. Either way, Egypt’s blend of control, set-piece power, and star quality will travel.

The stage at Stade Adrar in Agadir fit the occasion. On a night when the game demanded patience, Egypt found the gears and the goals to move on. The message to the rest of the field is clear: the Pharaohs are here, focused, and growing into the tournament at exactly the right time.

For now, the box score tells the story: 3-1 after extra time, with Attia, Ibrahim, and Salah on the sheet. But the bigger picture is about mentality. Egypt had it when it mattered most.