Egypt knocked out defending champions Ivory Coast from the Africa Cup of Nations and can dream of an eighth title. The Egyptians won 3-2 in the quarter-finals and will now play against Senegal for a place in the final.
Omar Marmoush gave Egypt the lead in the 4th minute. Ramy Rabia increased the score to 2-0 (32′). The Ivory Coast, the German team’s preliminary round opponent at the World Cup in the summer, was able to reduce the score before the break; the goal (40th) was deemed an own goal by Egypt defender Ahmed El Fotouh. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah restored the old gap after the break (52nd) with the goal to make it 3-1. Guela Doué (70th) only managed the next goal for the Ivorians.
Egypt in the semi-final against Senegal
The Egyptians will now face Senegal in the semi-finals next Wednesday (January 14, 2026). Nigeria will face hosts Morocco in the other semi-final.
The Egyptians got off to a better start at the Stade Agrar in Agadir – and immediately used the first attacking opportunity to take the lead: Frank Kessié had the ball stolen from him as he moved forward, and Odilon Kossonou looked even more unhappy in the duel with Marmoush. The former Frankfurt player, now at Manchester City, gave Yahia Fofana no chance in the Ivorian box.
After falling behind early on, the Ivory Coast stepped up their attack, preferring to use the left side and Yan Diomande: After almost 20 minutes, a well-considered back pass from the Leipzig player landed at Amad Diallo, who narrowly missed the equalizer.
Ivory Coast with strong Diomande, but inattentive in defense
The Egyptians were under pressure and could hardly get out of their own half – but after half an hour they benefited again from the inattention of the Ivorian defense: Salah’s corner flew through to the second post and the central defender Rabia, who had moved up, was able to head in unhindered for the second goal.
Rabia celebrated the goal with the goodnight gesture made famous by Steph Curry – but the game was anything but over: Diomande brought a corner dangerously into the six-yard box, Kossounou extended with his hair, El Fotouh gave the ball the final touch over the line in an attempt to save the ball.
Egypt mercilessly efficient – and with Salah
The Ivory Coast came out of the locker room storming and continued to have more of the game, but they often lacked precision in the final third. The Egyptians, on the other hand, showed their strength in quick switching and their merciless efficiency: Rabia with a strong through pass to Emam Ashour, who placed the ball perfectly with his outside instep right into Salah’s path – and Egypt’s top star made it 3-1.
Marmoush could have finally put the lid on it shortly afterwards after keeper Fofana let a ball get high-fived, but he was able to block the follow-up shot at the last moment (60th).
Exciting final phase – Egypt’s keeper El-Shewany holds on to victory
But Ivory Coast then tried to get back into the game: Kessié narrowly missed Mohamed El-Shenawy’s goal after a corner. But the Ivorians remained dangerous from set pieces: El-Shenawy was able to fend off a header from close range, Doué followed up decisively and acrobatically pushed the ball over the line from the air.
The game was suddenly exciting again. The stadium, with the Ivorian fans in the majority, was also set on fire again. Ivory Coast pressed for an equalizer in the final stages. Substitute Vakoun Bayo had a header chance three minutes before the end, but El-Shenawy parried. The Ivory Coast brought in two new attacking forces in the final minutes: Seko Fofana and Bazoumana Toure. Diallo took another free kick into the Egyptian penalty area in stoppage time, but the Egypt keeper cleared that too – it was the last chance of the game.