Egypt ensures Africa Cup 2025 semifinal ticket after eliminating defending champion Ivory Coast.

The Egyptian national team secured a spot in the semifinal of the 2025 Africa Cup after eliminating defending champions Ivory Coast with a dramatic 3-2 victory in the Quarter Final held at Adrar Stadium on Sunday, January 11, 2026, early morning WIB. This match wasn't merely a goal-scoring contest but also a battle of mentality and tactical maturity ultimately won by The Pharaohs.

Egypt immediately took attacking initiative from the opening whistle. Their high-pressure approach made Ivory Coast's defensive line struggle to build play from the back. The result became evident when Omar Marmoush scored the opening goal in the 4th minute. The Manchester City attacker successfully intercepted the ball near the penalty area before unleashing a powerful shot that Yahia Fofana couldn't block.

This early goal put Egypt in complete control of the game's tempo. Their dominance yielded another goal in the 32nd minute. From a corner situation, Mohamed Salah delivered an accurate cross met by Ramy Rabia's header into the top right corner. The 2-0 advantage gave Egypt space to manage the game's rhythm.

Ivory Coast attempted to break the pressure and gained momentum before halftime. In the 40th minute, the team nicknamed Les Éléphants narrowed the deficit through an own goal by Ahmed Fatouh, who misjudged a cross and directed the ball into his own net. The 2-1 scoreline concluded the first half and reopened opportunities for the defending champions.

Entering the second half, Egypt displayed the composure and efficiency characteristic of their performances in major tournaments. In the 52nd minute, Mohamed Salah reaffirmed his role as team leader. Receiving a cross from Emam Ashour on the right flank, the Egyptian captain converted the chance with a precise strike to the left side of Ivory Coast's goal, extending the lead to 3-1.

Ivory Coast refused to surrender. Sustained pressure finally paid off in the 73rd minute when Guela Doue capitalized on a scramble in front of Egypt's goal following a corner kick. This goal heightened tension throughout the remaining match.

However, Egypt maintained their lead through disciplined defending and mature tempo management. The 3-2 scoreline held until the final whistle, securing Egypt's progression to the final four of the 2025 Africa Cup.

This victory reaffirmed Egypt's championship mentality, now solidified in the knockout stages. Mohamed Salah and his teammates are scheduled to face Senegal in the semifinal on Thursday (15/1) at 00:00 WIB, a duel anticipated to be among the tournament's most compelling matches.