Salah Strikes Late as Egypt Overcome Brave Benin in AFCON Extra-Time Drama

Captain Mohamed Salah scored deep into extra time to seal a thrilling 3-1 victory for Egypt national football team against a spirited Benin national football team in the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash in Agadir on Monday.

In a match that tested Egypt’s patience and resilience, the seven-time champions finally broke Benin’s resistance after 124 minutes. Marwan Attia opened the scoring in the second half before Jodel Dossou equalised for the Cheetahs, who entered the contest ranked 58 places below Egypt in the world standings.

Benin, missing captain and key striker Steve Mounie due to illness, showed no signs of intimidation and matched Egypt for long spells. Their disciplined defending and quick counterattacks turned the contest into what Benin coach Gernot Rohr described as “a fight, a real battle, while still playing football.”

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had warned before kick-off that there were no easy games at this stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, and his words proved accurate. “Benin were tough opponents. Egypt are a great team and I want to make my people happy,” Hassan said after the match. He also confirmed concern over Mohamed Hamdy’s injury, adding, “His teammates played for him. We are mentally prepared to play either 90 minutes or extra time.”

Egypt made 10 changes from the side that drew with Angola in the group stage, but still needed extra time to finally assert themselves. Yasser Ibrahim restored the Pharaohs’ lead with a looping header seven minutes into extra time, before Salah delivered the decisive blow. Breaking clear late on, the captain fired a shot from outside the area past goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou to score his 10th AFCON goal and his third of the tournament.

The strike was especially significant for Salah, whose club success with Liverpool FC has not yet been matched by continental glory. The 31-year-old is still chasing his first AFCON title after finishing runner-up twice.

Benin’s Rohr praised his side despite the defeat. “When you look at the Egyptian players, we do not have the same level. We missed our best striker Steve Mounie,” he said.

Egypt now remain in Agadir and will face either Ivory Coast national football team or Burkina Faso national football team in Saturday’s quarterfinal, as their quest for an eighth continental crown continues.