Salah Seals It as Egypt Outlast Benin in Extra Time

Egypt were forced to dig deep before eventually overpowering Benin 3-1 after extra time in a tense Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash played on Monday night at the Stade d'Agadir.

After a cagey first half that ended scoreless, the Pharaohs finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when Marwan Ateya unleashed a precise right-footed strike from outside the box, sending the Egyptian fans into celebration and seemingly setting the favourites on course.

However, Benin refused to fold. The Squirrels pushed forward with renewed belief and were rewarded in the 83rd minute when substitute Jodel Dossou reacted quickest inside the box to smash home a close-range equaliser, dragging the contest into extra time and silencing the Egyptian bench.

Extra time proved to be a test of character and composure. Egypt gradually asserted control, piling pressure through Mohamed Salah and Zizo down the flanks, while Benin relied on counter-attacks and set pieces to stay alive.

The breakthrough arrived in the 97th minute as centre-back Yasser Ibrahim rose highest from a corner to power a header into the top corner, restoring Egypt’s lead and swinging momentum firmly in their favour.

Benin continued to fight, but their resistance finally collapsed in stoppage time of extra time. With Benin pushing numbers forward, Egypt broke at pace and Salah delivered the killer blow, curling a left-footed effort from outside the box into the centre of the goal in the 120+4th minute to seal the result.

The final whistle confirmed a hard-earned 3-1 victory for Egypt, whose experience and individual quality ultimately proved decisive against a brave Benin side that pushed them to the limit.

Egypt now march into the quarter-finals with confidence restored, while Benin exit the tournament with heads held high after a spirited display on one of Africa’s biggest stages.