Egypt defeats Benin 3-1 and qualifies for the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with record numbers
On a dramatic football night in Morocco, the Egyptian national football team secured its place among the top eight in the Africa Cup of Nations, after achieving a hard-fought and exciting 3-1 victory over Benin, in a match that went into extra time and kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moments.
The match witnessed a remarkable performance from new faces, with Marwan Attia opening his international account with a rocket shot in the 69th minute that nestled into the top corner of the net, giving the Pharaohs the lead. Despite Jodel Dossou's equalizer for Benin in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up and a change in the ball's trajectory, the Egyptian character shone through in the crucial moments. In the first period of extra time, Marwan Attia returned to his role as playmaker, delivering a perfect cross that defender Yasser Ibrahim headed powerfully into the net, also scoring his first goal for the national team.
The match was not without its historic milestones for Pharaohs captain Mohamed Salah, who made his mark with the third goal, effectively ending Benin's hopes. This goal wasn't just about securing the result; it was the culmination of a night in which Salah broke the record for most appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, raising his tally to 22 matches and surpassing the record held by Egyptian football legend and current national team coach Hossam Hassan. The "Egyptian Pharaoh" also moved a step closer to becoming Egypt's all-time top scorer in the tournament, now needing just two goals to equal the record held by the late Hassan El-Shazly.
On the downside, the coaching staff faced a difficult moment after left-back Mohamed Hamdi suffered a serious injury that required him to be stretchered off the field, raising questions about the available options to replace him in the upcoming quarter-final match. This victory, however, strengthens the aspirations of Egyptian fans to reclaim the continental title, which has eluded them for years, and to pursue their eighth star, cementing Egypt's dominance in Africa. The performance demonstrated a high level of fighting spirit and an ability to handle the complexities of knockout matches.
This qualification is a pivotal step in the journey of the Egyptian national team, as it sends a strong message to the competitors that the Pharaohs came to Morocco with their eyes on the podium, relying on a combination of years of experience represented by Salah and El Shenawy, and the enthusiasm of the players who prove their worth day after day.
