Salah seals Egypt’s extra-time passage to AFCON quarters
Egypt required extra time to overcome a resilient Benin 3-1 and advance to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals. The Pharaohs were pushed to the limit in Marrakesh before finally securing their place.
After a tense first half, Marwan Attia broke the deadlock with a stunning 30-yard strike late in normal time. Benin, however, forced extra time with a fortuitous 83rd-minute equalizer from Jodel Dossou.
The match was ultimately decided by a moment of set-piece quality and individual brilliance. Defender Yasser Ibrahim scored his first international goal with a superb looping header in the 97th minute.
Mohamed Salah, largely quiet until then, sealed the victory at the death, curling home a exquisite breakaway finish in the 124th minute.
The win sets up a quarterfinal clash on Saturday against the winner of Tuesday’s tie between holders Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
