Salah settles thriller as Egypt beat holders Ivory Coast

Mohamed Salah was once again on the scoresheet as Egypt beat holders Ivory Coast in an enthralling and action-packed quarterfinal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

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After Omar Marmoush slotted the Pharaohs ahead after just four minutes, the North Africans were never behind in the game.

But Emerse Fae's Elephants are known for their resilience and refused to let their opponents blow them away despite Ramy Rabia's header giving Egypt a 2-0 lead just after the half hour.

Ahmed Fatouh's own goal gave the Ivorians hope before halftime, but Salah quickly restored a two-goal cushion for the record seven-time winners.

Guela Doue's backheeled effort after 73 minutes set up a grandstand finish but there was to be no fairytale comeback for Ivory Coast this time around.

The result means Salah's bid for a first continental crown with his country is still on course.

He will now take his team to Tangier to face Senegal, who beat Egypt in the 2021 final, on Wednesday (17:00 GMT).

As well as losing the 2021 final to Senegal on penalties, Salah was also an Afcon runner-up in 2017 against Cameroon.

Now 33, he will have to do it the hard way from here if he is to finally lift the trophy, with either Nigeria or Morocco waiting in any potential final on Sunday, 18 January.