Clinical yet streetwise in game management, Egypt have once again secured their place in the AFCON semifinals. Ivory Coast were far from embarrassing themselves, but costly midfield errors ultimately proved fatal for the defending champions.
- Egypt 3-2 Côte d’Ivoire : Marmoush 4’, Rabia 32’ Salah 52’ – Fatouh OG 40’ Doué 73’
Egypt have now won 10 of their last 11 matches against Ivory Coast. A true bogey team for the Elephants, Egypt continue to move through this tournament under the radar, despite the difficulties that have marked Hossam Hassan’s side. Against an Ivory Coast team that had impressed against Burkina Faso, expectations leaned toward an Ivorian victory — but Egypt’s ruthless efficiency told a different story.
Franck Kessié lost possession, Fathi fed Ashour, who delivered a magnificent through ball for Marmoush to beat Yahia Fofana and make it 1–0 in just the 4th minute. The second goal came from an aerial duel lost by Sangaré against Rabia, further exposing Ivorian fragility.
Ivory Coast did pull one back through a free kick that resulted in an own goal by Fatouh, making it 2–1, but Mohamed Salah quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback with a superb individual goal. Guéla Doué’s follow-up strike only served to offer false hope to the Elephants.
After a shaky start to the tournament — flirting with disaster against Zimbabwe — Egypt showed heart, and their defensive solidity did the rest. Taking an early lead allowed them to fully implement their lethal counter-attacking game plan.
Egypt will face Senegal in Tangier.