Egypt has secured a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ivory Coast in a pulsating quarter-final clash. The Pharaohs' journey to this stage saw them overcome Benin Republic in an extra-time win in the Round of 16, setting up a decisive encounter with the Elephants, who had defeated Burkina Faso.

The highly anticipated quarter-final saw Mohamed Salah spearhead Egypt's attack, while Amad Diallo led the charge for Ivory Coast, having been their standout player in the tournament. Egypt made a dream start, with Omar Marmoush finding the back of the net in the fourth minute, slotting home a precise pass from Emam Ashour. The Pharaohs quickly doubled their lead shortly after, as Rami Rabia powerfully headed in a cross from Salah, putting Ivory Coast in a precarious position early on. The Elephants managed to claw one back before halftime, courtesy of an own goal from Ahmed Fatouh, reducing the deficit and offering a glimmer of hope.

The second half saw Egypt reassert their dominance, with Mohamed Salah adding his name to the scoresheet to restore a two-goal cushion, further solidifying Egypt's control. However, Ivory Coast refused to yield, and Guela Doué scored from a corner kick in the 72nd minute, making it 3-2 and reigniting hopes of a dramatic comeback. Despite their valiant efforts to find an equalizer and force extra time, Egypt's defense held firm, securing the hard-fought victory and their progression to the semi-finals.

This crucial goal by Mohamed Salah was not just pivotal for Egypt's progression but also marked a significant personal milestone for the Liverpool forward. Salah etched his name deeper into Africa Cup of Nations history by setting a new scoring record. His second-half strike against Ivory Coast saw him surpass legends Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba, becoming the player to score against the most different national teams in AFCON history. Salah now stands alone at the top, having scored against 11 different national teams, an achievement that places him ahead of African greats such as Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, and André Ayew, who are all tied with 10. This record-breaking performance underlines Salah's enduring influence and leadership on the continental stage.

With this resilient display, Egypt, under Hossam Hassan, continues its strong tournament run, having already demonstrated their mettle by coming through an extra-time battle in the Round of 16. The Pharaohs now prepare for a highly anticipated semi-final clash against Senegal, where Mohamed Salah is set to face his former Liverpool teammate, Sadio Mane. With Salah in record-breaking form and leading from the front, Egypt moves one step closer to potentially reclaiming the coveted AFCON crown.