Egypt Triumphs Over Benin 3-1 to Advance in Cup of Nations

Egypt secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Benin in a thrilling round-of-16 match on January 5, 2024. The seven-time champions faced a late scare when Benin equalised, but a crucial goal in extra time sealed their progression.

The match began with Egypt taking the lead in the 69th minute, thanks to a stunning 30-yard strike from Marwan Attia. His powerful shot found the back of the net, giving Egypt hope for a straightforward victory. However, Benin responded dramatically, forcing the game into extra time when Jodel Dossou scored in the dying minutes, leaving the score tied at 1-1.

Yasser Ibrahim emerged as the hero for Egypt during extra time. In the 97th minute, he scored his first international goal, connecting with Attia’s cross to send a looping header into the top corner of the net. As the match approached its conclusion, Mohamed Salah secured the victory with a breakaway strike, adding a third goal with the last kick of the game.

With this victory, Egypt will now face the winner of the upcoming quarter-final clash between the defending champions, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso. That match is scheduled to take place in Agadir on Saturday.

Egypt’s performance showcased their resilience and skill, particularly after facing a challenging equaliser from Benin. As they advance in the tournament, the team will look to build on this momentum in pursuit of an eighth title in the Africa Cup of Nations.