In a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations last-16 encounter, record seven-time champions Egypt secured a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over the spirited minnows Benin. The match, played in Agadir on Monday as part of the 2025 tournament, saw Captain Mohamed Salah clinch the decisive goal after 124 minutes, marking his 10th AFCON goal and sending the Pharaohs into the quarter-finals.

The first half remained goalless, despite early opportunities. Egypt's Omar Marmoush, who joined Manchester City at the beginning of last year from Eintracht Frankfurt, had a prime chance within eight minutes, darting forward but was ultimately foiled by a brave save from Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou. Benin's defense, led by centre-back Yohan Roche who cleared a dangerous ball trickling towards the net, held strong against Egyptian threats. A significant delay occurred due to a collision between Egypt's Mohamed Hamdy and Benin's Rodolfo Aloko, resulting in Hamdy being carried off and replaced by Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh in midfield. Despite Egypt dominating possession, Benin managed their own counterattacks, one of which was expertly halted by a superb sliding tackle from Hamdy Fathy. Benin's wariness of Salah was evident, as he was immediately surrounded by three opponents whenever he gained possession near the box.

The stalemate was broken in the 70th minute when Marwan Attia put the Pharaohs ahead. Following a neat combination play between Salah and Mohamed Hany, Attia received the ball just outside the box and curled a superb strike into the top corner. However, Benin, refusing to accept defeat, relentlessly attacked and found an equalizer in the 83rd minute through 33-year-old Jodel Dossou. Egypt's 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy initially made a superb save from a Mohamed Tijani cross, but the ball fell invitingly for Dossou, who reacted quickest to turn in the rebound, forcing the match into an additional 30 minutes of extra time.

Egypt reclaimed the lead seven minutes into extra time. From a short-corner routine, Marwan Attia delivered a pinpoint cross, and centre-back Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to connect with a looping header that evaded Dandjinou and landed in the net. As Benin pushed numbers forward in search of another equalizer, Captain Mohamed Salah sealed Egypt's victory with virtually the last kick of the game. Carrying the ball from inside his own half, Salah broke clear and calmly lifted it over the advancing Marcel Dandjinou with a shot from outside the area, putting the outcome beyond doubt and marking his third goal of the tournament.

The victory was a dominant performance from the North African powerhouse, securing their place in the quarter-finals. Egypt, who made 10 changes to their squad from their final group match, will remain in Agadir to face the winner of the tie between title-holders Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso on Saturday. For Benin, despite the defeat, their AFCON campaign concluded at the Round of 16, marking their best-ever finish at the tournament. Salah, whose goals have been instrumental in Liverpool's trophy successes, continues his quest for a first AFCON winners' medal, having previously been a runner-up twice.