Egypt withstood a spirited fightback from defending champions Ivory Coast to win 3-2 in a thrilling five-goal encounter at the Grand Stade d’Agadir on Saturday evening, ending the Elephants’ title defence and booking their place in the AFCON semi-finals.
The match exploded into life in the fourth minute when Omar Marmoush fired home from Emam Ashour’s assist, giving the Pharaohs the perfect start to their quarter-final. Twenty-eight minutes later, they doubled their advantage as Rami Rabia rose brilliantly to head home from a Mohamed Salah corner kick.
However, the defending champions pulled one back before the interval. Ahmed Fatouh inadvertently headed into his own net in the 41st minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1 at half-time and giving the Elephants hope heading into the break.
Seven minutes into the second half, Egypt restored their two-goal cushion. Emam Ashour collected a pass over the top before slipping in Salah, who applied a clinical finish to make it 3-1 and seemingly put the match beyond Ivory Coast’s reach.
The Elephants, however, refused to surrender their crown without a fight. Guela Doué scored in the 73rd minute from close range following a corner kick to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finale.
Enjoying significant possession in the closing stages, Ivory Coast threw everything forward as they desperately sought an equaliser. But Egypt’s defensive organisation and goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy held firm through several nervous moments and lengthy stoppage time to secure a famous victory.
This result ends Ivory Coast’s reign as continental champions. The Elephants had won the tournament in dramatic fashion in 2024 after defeating the Super Eagles in the final, but their quest to become only the third nation to retain the AFCON title has fallen short.
For the Pharaohs, who have not won the tournament since 2010, this victory represents a significant step towards reclaiming their status as African football’s most successful nation. Under coach Hossam Hassan, the seven-time champions remain unbeaten at AFCON 2025, extending their run to six matches.
Marmoush continued his excellent tournament form whilst Salah provided his customary quality in crucial moments. The victory adds another memorable chapter to the rivalry between these two AFCON giants.
Wednesday’s semi-final in Tangier will see Egypt face Senegal’s Teranga Lions, as they bid to reach the final and potentially claim their eighth continental title.
Match details:
- Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
- Grand Stade d’Agadir, Agadir
- Goals: Marmoush 4′, Rabia 32′, Salah 52′ / Fatouh (o.g.) 41′, Doué 73′
- Egypt will face Senegal in the semi-finals on Wednesday, 14 January in Tangier
Semi-final fixtures confirmed:
Wednesday, 14 January 2026:
- Egypt (Pharaohs) vs Senegal (Teranga Lions) – Grande Stade de Tanger, Tangier
- Nigeria (Super Eagles) vs Morocco (Atlas Lions) – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
